Rob had made a detailed list of all the things that he wanted to do in Milan. It was impossible to complete the list. I reminded him that no one can see New York City in a few days either. He pared it down to a busy, doable day. So … this is a long post yet full of amazing pictures. I will keep the commentary to a minimum.
Milan’s Sistine Chapel
When one enters San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, feelings of grandeur are overwhelming with over 26,000 square feet of frescoes covering the walls and side chapels.This pipe organ was built by Gian Giacomo Antegnati in 1554-1557 and restored in 1982 with the sound system restored in 2014, funded by contributions of The Rotary Club Milano Castello.Building the ArkThe FloodNote the unicorn in the center.Noah’s ark A fresco of the prodigal son.Even the pillars are decorated. This is Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, and his disciples have fallen asleep.Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus are fleeing to Egypt.
La Scala Theater
The plain exterior of La Scala belies the opulence inside.Teatro alla Scala by Angelo Inganni 1852. Paintings often give historical context to restoration efforts.What a view!! In the 19th century, composer Richard Wagner was the first to suggest an orchestra pit.It was closed for three years for renovations, and 2½ miles of red damask was utilized. They kept the top two levels as is for historical purposes.Box seatsI’m ready with my opera classes, i.e., binoculars. I would have loved to see a ballet performance, but our schedules didn’t mesh.This poster advertised the first ever performance of Carmen in La Scala.We entered the museum which is full of librettos, artifacts, busts, and paintings of the great composers and performers.This is a historic lost and found … things that were left behind in the boxes.As a flautist I was drawn to the crystal flute shown in the back that I had never seen before.This ballerina costume is made out of white fabric and the paper of a musical score. I’m not sure if it was ever worn……but this ballerina toe shoe was.
Pinacoteca di Brera Art Museum
Saint Mark Preaching in Alexandria is an oil painting by the Italian Renaissance artists Gentile and Giovanni Bellini, dated to 1504–1507.Abraham Casting out Hagar and Ishmael is a 1657 oil on canvas painting by Guercino.Lamentation of Christ by Andrea Mantegna painted in the late 13th century.The Pergola by Silvestro Lega 1868
I admired his attention to detail in shadows and even tufts of grass growing between the cracks in the brick walkway.The Kiss by Francesco Hayez 1859. Many copies of this popular painting were made and purchased by admirers … like below.Look carefully at the oil painting of Doleful Premonition by Gerolamo Induno in 1862.
In a modest room, seated on a bed, a girl contemplates a portrait of her beloved, a patriot fighting in the wars as we can tell from a bust of Garibaldi, print on the wall of The Kiss, and a battle scene.
Duomo Cathedral, Museum, Terraces and the Crypt (We did the Terraces the day before since it was a two day ticket.)
The Duomo is the largest church in the Italian Republic.The cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete. Construction began in 1386……and was completed in 1965 by putting the fifth brass door into place. The brass door above is the main door and is the biggest.The Duomo is over 100 meters tall and has 135 spires.The golden top is Mary.There was a competition to design Mary. This design won, but they don’t know what happened to her head in the model. Also, shown is the inner framework of the statue.This is the highest that we were allowed to climb. It was a very hot day so we didn’t stay long.View from the TerracesA close up of the white, pink, and gray marble that was used to build the Duomo.The main function of a gargoyle is to redirect rainwater.The process for making a marble statue first started as a painting for an approval process. Then it was made in cheaper terracotta before carving into the marble.The massive cathedral The interior of the cathedral has 52 pillars and five naves.The Apostle Bartholomew was skinned alive according to tradition. This sculpture is an extraordinary anatomical representation in which the veins and bundles of muscle fibres are carefully detailed.
The statue portraying Saint Bartholomew was sculpted by Marco d’Agrate in 1562. He is depicted flayed, holding a knife, the instrument of his martyrdom, in one hand and the Gospel in the other. His own skin hangs from his shoulders down over his body, and his hands, feet and bearded face with curly hair can be seen amongst the folds.
The story of Jesus starting at the bottom with his birth and ending with the crucifixion at the top … but the real ending is the resurrection.A wooden model of an earlier version of the Duomo.The attention to detail is amazing.The crypt is always a little creepy even if beautifully decorated.Exquisitely decorated cover of the Bible used in the Duomo.Phew!! If you got to the end of this post, relax, sit back, put your feet up, and smell the roses!!
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