Annie McBride on Religion Through Art in Florence

By: Annie McBride

March 27, 2009

After many weeks of wandering the streets of Florence, experiencing the touristy side while still trying to immerse myself in the true culture of the Florentines, I have come to realize how important religion is here.
Religion, mainly Christianity (but increasingly Judaism and Islam), is so well-integrated into the life and energy of the city that Florentines seem almost unaware of it. They walk past incredible sculptures and awe-inspiring cathedrals without recognizing their sheer religious importance because they see them on a daily basis as they walk to the café, bike to work, or chat with old friends. Religion, through its history and through the art that remains, is so embedded in the city itself that it seems Florentines would have no other option than to accept their faith.

Visitors, on the other hand, have a fresh view of the city and are thrilled to see aspects of Florence that are wholly important in art and religious history. At the start of my program in mid-January, when the breeze had a startling chill to it, the city was generally mellow and relaxing, and we could wander around and explore the city on our own accord. Now, two months later, tourist season is in full swing. Along with the deliciously warm weather came a swell of thousands and thousands of tourists. The swarms of people taking photos of the Duomo and the David have been constant reminders of how lucky we are to live in such a great city. The fact that people voyage all the way to this country proves how significant this city is in their personal perceptions of history and religion.

Florence is truly a “museum,” as many people refer to it. The amount of famous artwork in the city (and in the rest of Italy) is really incredible. I’'ve visited many museums and cathedrals and stood in front of many paintings and sculptures that I’'ve studied in either religion, history, or art classes. Much of these famous pieces were produced during the Italian Renaissance, from about the thirteenth to seventeenth century, when art, among other intellectual accomplishments, flourished in Italy. The period is best known for the contributions of Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli, Titian, and Leonardo da Vinci.

Before coming here I had never really contemplated the connection between art and religion. It was really interesting to learn that artists during this time were merely considered to be craftsmen and not appreciated as true artists. A great deal of the art from this time period is entirely religious, depicting religious symbols and scenes from the Bible, etc. The Church, as a very wealthy institution of the time, was responsible for commissioning most of these pieces. It was not until after this time period that artists began to break free from commissioned art and develop on their own.

It seems that art and religion existed in a reciprocal alliance that allowed both to develop simultaneously. Today, these famous works of art relay biblical stories, reminding followers of the tenets and values of Christianity. Even the tourists, who are solely seeking the historical aspect of the art, will still gain some insight into the religious intentions. At the same time, it is possible that the Church’'s interest in these artists promoted the development of their skills and reputations.

It was very interesting to see how integrated these two subjects are in Florence’'s history. I look forward to visiting more cities throughout Italy (especially Rome), and to celebrate Easter in Florence to learn more about religion here.
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