Italy from Home: Virtual Uffizi Gallery Tour

A life-size replica of the Pietà at JPCatholic University

I was supposed to take a study abroad trip to Italy this past March. March 2020 went downhill very fast, so that did not happen. The professor leading the trip had us tour this Uffizi Gallary instead, which of course isn't the same as being there in person, but nonetheless, it has incredible art to view. In fact, I think it's easier to observe online quietly with music than being in a crowd. The things you do when in a "quarantine." After observing all of the faith-related, and more, paintings in the Uffizi gallery, the following are the pieces that touched me the most.  What a gift that we get to have these. But what a loss that we aren't as familiar with the meanings and symbolism.

Annunciation- By Leonardo Da Vinci 1472

What’s so engaging about this painting, like so many others of Mary, is the way it relates to a culture other than what Mary historically lived.  Here, the characters are emerging into an Italian Renaissance world.  Mary doesn’t look realistically common or poor.  She looks like a woman of means; and one who is literate.  She was not wealthy by Earthly standards, but she was spiritually wealthy.  Where God dwells, there is exquisite beauty.  Mary is almost always depicted as draped in blue.  In this painting, she wears a red undergarment.  Her clothes look beautiful, but the material is still simple, which I believe speaks to her humility.  As the young woman is greeted by the messenger angel, Gabriel, she looks surprised but composed.  I appreciate the human aspect of the surprised expression, but her composer shows how grace-filled she is.  How amazing that the angel is bowing in honor!  The lilies, of course, represent purity.  The background of Mary is simplified to focus on her.  

Madonna of the Goldfinch- By Raphael 1506

This painting is so sweet.  It’s the first image I’ve seen of Jesus and John together as children.  Looking at this piece via a virtual gallery isn’t the same as seeing it in person, but here street view gives a good sense of the size of the picture.  It was smaller than I expected, as compared to the other paintings, but it gave a more intimate feel.  In it, John is wearing his animal skins and has the baptism shell.  The boys are gently holding a goldfinch as Mary observing the toddlers, distracted from her book.  There’s so much motherly love in her expression.  As someone with little brothers not much older than them, I see this same scenario with them and my mom.  Small children love to play right by mom.      

The Ognissanti Madonna By Giotto 1310

This painting was actually done before renaissance.  It’s not very expressive.  It reminds me of an icon.  There’s lots of gold to resemble heaven, with Mary holding baby Jesus in a structure as if to show she’s in a tabernacle.  Saints and angels surround them.  Lilies are held by two angels, one on each side.   

Adoration of the Magi by Leonardo Da Vinci

The most intriguing aspect of this piece is it was left unfinished!  It was inspired by the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14 I believe..), not the actual event, which is the second most intriguing part, to me.  I wonder who are all the people?  It looks very chaotic.  Yet baby Jesus, while being held by his mama, is not phased, as he gives his attention to accepting a gift from one man in particular.  The baby's hand is up in a saluting position, like we do to block the sun.  Is it to emphasize where his attention is?  What’s the ultimate intention of the painting?  I have more questions than anything else about his piece.  However, with it unpainted, the sketch gives insight to the depth of the art before it was actually painted.  How intricate. 

Judith and Holofernes By Artemisia Gentileschi 1621

This painting and the story behind it is really badass.  This is an Old Testament painting, which I think is always good to see because the stories are still relevant to our Christian faith.  Judith looks very strong and determined to get the job done.  I imagine when the mission was accomplished, her giving her hands a little dustoff-clap/swipe, whatever you call that move.     This painting by Gentileschi (a woman, which is awesome and unexpected for a painting so gruesome, but it is the story of another woman) is Caravaggesque and baroque style.  It’s very similar to Caravaggio’s version.  More so than Caravaggio’s version, Judith looks physically bigger and stronger, and Judith really leans into it without shying away.  The story is that Holofernes was seduced and drunk, so that Judith could be there through the night, and that is depicted by the red sheets and his lack of clothes.  Someone might think a million things about this painting, but unless you already know the Bible story, one wouldn’t guess that this was a special work for God.  Back then, this is how those stories were told, orally and visually, although by the time this painting was finished, a little more people were starting to read because of the printing press.  

Baptism of Christ By Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da Vinci 1470-75

The way this painting is credited in the gallery is, I believe, backward.  Even though DaVinci’s name was listed first, he only painted John the Baptist, the portion which becomes the focus.  Varricchio never painted again, which I find hilarious.  But the poor man deserves more credit!  This painting is more realistic to the world Jesus lived in.  I like the palm tree and desert-neutral colors.  The desertness is a bit exaggerated, as the water is very shallow and not wide, but I think, like the Annunciation painting, it is to simplify the surroundings to focus on the people.  John looks so passionate, but his face is very gaunt and his hands are thin and veiny from eating only honey and locusts.  Above, only God the Father's hands are shown, as He sends down the Holy Spirit.