A morning with the Medici

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Today, Mari and Maria’s Big Adventure. Two art buddies go to NYC for a press preview of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s latest blockbuster exhibition, “The Medici: Portraits and Politics, 1512-1570.” It opened to the general public yesterday and will run till Oct. 11. I urge you to take it in if you can, as it really has something for everybody. History buffs will enjoy the high drama – the powerful Medici banking dynasty turned Florence from a Republic to effectively a monarchy, complete with Popes, and used art to cement its power. Art aficionados will be awestruck by the portraits – in paint, in bronze, in marble, on medals, lent from repositories all over the world – works by such heavy hitters as Raphael, Pontormo, Cellini, Bronzino and more.

Not only was it well worth the trip but you know what else?, it just felt good to be in a museum again! I was lucky that my friend Mari Firkatian was available to join me, as she is not only an artist, but teaches history , including the Renaissance, at the University of Hartford’s Hillyer College. Also, she and I have traveled to Italy – specifically Tuscany – on an art trip. So suffice it to say, this exhibit spoke our language. Join us as we travel to the Met for a richly rewarding walk through room after room of The Medici in portraits and politics.

Listen to the audio of co-curator Keith Christiansen’s presentation to the press in a very echo-y room!

We took MetroNorth from New Haven to Grand Central Station.
At GCS
It’s NYC. Had to have a bagel — with a shmear!
Met-bound
Outdoor air conditioning on a humid day
The obligatory banner

Met director Max Hollein greets the press and launches the exhibit…
… along with Keith Christiansen, the John Pope-Hennessy Chairman of the Department of European Paintings, who co-curated the exhibit with guest curator Carlo Falciani, Professor of Art History at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence.
Two busts of Cosimo de Medici by Benvenuto Cellini greet visitors at the entrance to the show
Unfinished portrait of Michelangelo by Daniele da Volterra
Helpful Medici genealogy and timeline
A poet, too, Bronzino hailed the noble onion in verse.
Interviewing co-curator Christiansen before Bronzino’s portrait of the poet Laura Battiferri, below, lent from the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and cleaned for the exhibition. It’s the work Christiansen was most determined to show.

Shown in profile like the portrait of Dante — both with prominent noses — to her left in the exhibit.

Having bid arrivederci to the Medici, Mari and I took in other Met wonders.
This room of Tell Halaf reliefs from the Ottoman Empire, 10-9 c BC, was especially affecting.
Is one ever too old to appreciate cute boys?
Back at Grand Central, we gathered picnic fixin’s for the train ride home. A great day in the big city!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO WESU’S SPRING PLEDGE DRIVE! AS YOU SEE, WE MORE THAN MADE OUR GOAL! IT’S YOU WHO PUT THE COMMUNITY IN COMMUNITY RADIO!

Be sure to tune in next time, July 11, for a visit with abstract artist Power Boothe!

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