29 October – 3 November 2012
Renaissance Florence and Fiesole
Description
This Studytour provides the opportunity to set your study of the Florentine Renaissance in context, and familiarise yourself with some of the world’s key works of art – many still in their original locations. The opportunity to visit medieval civic environments, town halls, religious institutions and the fresco cycles commissioned for family chapels as well as public and private spaces, will enable you to ground your studies in personal experience.
The city of Florence represents all aspects of social, political and economic life in Italy during the Renaissance. The evidence of forms of government, religious practices, beliefs, and economic activity is all embodied in the works of art and the buildings that were commissioned by patrons and made by craftsmen for these wealthy societies. Initially a commune, Florence became a city state in the 14th century when republican government emerged. The work of, for instance, Cimabue and Giotto, the building of the Duomo and the Palazzo Vecchio, the commissioning of the great bronze Baptistery Doors, all attest to an extraordinary flowering of artistic activity in 14th century Florence.
The rise of the Medici family, who during the lifetime of Cosimo the Elder (1389-1464) emerged as the political and cultural leaders of Florence, meant that the city became the cradle of the Renaissance. Under the guidance of Lorenzo the Magnificent (1449-92) Florence became the leading state in Italy. The Medici were overthrown in 1494 but returned to power in 1512 , establishing themselves as the Dukes of Tuscany in 1569.
In the 15th and 16th centuries the Medici and other leading Florentine families employed the foremost artists of the Renaissance to create and decorate their palaces, chapels, villas and public buildings.
Giotto’s 14th century frescoes in Santa Croce, Brunelleschi’s great 15th century dome for the Cathedral, Michelangelo’s New Sacristy built in the 16th century for the Medici at San Lorenzo and Giorgio Vasari’s new offices for Duke Cosimo I (the ‘Uffizi’, now the seat of one of the greatest of all collections of Renaissance art) demonstrate the continuing commitment of Florentines to the glorification and embellishment of their great city.
Other Details
Accommodation
Centrally located Hotel Lombardi**, bed and breakfast in twin-share room with private facilities.
Course Cost
£545 inclusive of tuition, airport transfers, accommodation and breakfast.
Single Room Supplement
£130 (double room at single use)
Travel Insurance
Once tour is viable and if we have booked a flight for you through Travelpack, you can call Larraine on 08444 930465 for an immediate quote (unless you already have insurance)
Flight
Ca. £190 scheduled flight to Pisa or Bologna. Note that this is an estimate (if it is less you play less), please see Booking Conditions for more information concerning nominated flights.
Local Transport
Airport transfers by coach or train (depending on group size), day visit to Fiesole by coach or bus (depending on group size)
Group Size
16
Tutor
Daphne Joynes is a historian and art historian and has worked at the University of Surrey and the Open University. She has extensive experience of lecturing in continuing adult education with the WEA, NADFAS, the National Trust and U3A, and has led many study tours to Italy. Her particular field of interest is early Italo-Byzantine painting and the Italian Renaissance.
Related OU Courses
AA315/A216/General Interest
Itinerary / Study Programme
Day 1, Monday 29th October 2012
Arrival and Orientation
Day 2, Tuesday 30th October 2012
Am Baptistery, Duomo, Museo del Duomo
Pm San Miniato, Santa Croce, Pazzi Chapel and Museo
Day 3, Wednesday, 31st October 2012
Am Palazzo Medici and Chapel, San Marco, Ospedale degli Innocneti
Pm Fiesole
Day 4, Thursday, 1st November 2012
Am Santa Trinità, Santo Spirito, Santa Maria del Carmine/Brancacci Chapel
Pm Free afternoon. Optional visit to Ss Apostoli, Palazzo Davanzati, Bargello Museum or Accademia
Day 5, Friday, 2nd November 2012
Am Uffizi
Pm Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo
Day 6, Saturday, 3rd November 2012
Am Orsanmichele. Departure
This itinerary and study programme is provisional and may be subject to change in response to local conditions