Italy

I have always, quite possibly from the moment I gained consciousness, desired to travel the world but especially Italy.  The many things that I have heard second-hand about Italy deeply resonate with my ideas off family and culture and life.  I love the geography, the cities, the art, the history, the food, and what I think the culture and the people are like.  And I am finally heading of to Italy!  Finally!  My Mom and I have two weeks to hit all of the main spots – Rome, Siena, Florence, Venice, Ravenna, Assisi, etc.  I don’t know how we will be able to see all I could wish!  Of course if you have any ideas and travel tips please feel free to pass them along.

And now enough of me – here is a quote from Alberti’s Prologue to On Painting.  He is speaking about the accomplishments that some at the beginning of the Renaissance had achieved and later more specifically Brunelleschi and ‘his dome’.

“Therefore, I believe the power of acquiring wide fame in any art or science lies in our industry and diligence more than in the times or in the gifts of nature.  It must be admitted that it was less difficult for the Ancients – because they had models to imitate and from which they could learn – to come to a knowledge of those supreme arts and sciences without teachers or without any model whatsoever.”