8th – 12th October
with Private View of the Fra Angelico Exhibition
*FULLY BOOKED*
If you needed an excuse to visit Florence again, then this is it. The Palazzo Strozzi is promising a glittering exhibition on Fra Angelico, works are being gathered from across the world and altarpiece panels are being reunited for the first time. Both the exhibition and our time in Florence will concentrate on what shaped Fra Angelico’s world, we will look at artists who had a great influence upon him and at his contemporaries. We will discuss the Dominican Order and study their art and architecture in depth. One day will be spent in the beautiful hilltop town of Fiesole with wonderful views back over Florence. We hope to have created a trip which will satisfy both Florentine old timers and those who are new to the city.
Our hotel is set in a Renaissance palace on the Piazza Santo Spirito. It has a relaxed, old-world charm and a large wonderful loggia for evening drinks. Away from the crowds, this part of Florence is a perfect area to spend a few days, with the added benefit of some excellent restaurants and cafes.
Itinerary
Wednesday 8th October
We will land in Florence just in time to drop our bags at the hotel and head out for lunch in Piazza Santo Spirito. We thought we would start the trip with a visit to the newly restored frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel. This is a must even for those who have seen these before as the colours are more brilliant than ever. We will then cross the Arno to Santa Trinità to see the altarpiece and frescoes by Lorenzo Monaco in the Bartolini-Salimbeni Chapel. This will be a good place to introduce the life of Fra Angelico, who was possibly trained by Lorenzo Monaco and certainly influenced by his work. Supper will be at a lively trattoria near our hotel.
Thursday 9th October
Today we will focus on the role the Dominicans had in shaping the art of Florence and on the young Fra Angelico. We shall start at the Monastery of San Marco where we will see the exquisite frescoes painted on the walls of the monks’ cells by Fra Angelico. Here we will also discuss the role of the Medici and of one of the most famous Dominicans, the powerful Savonarola. We will then spend time in the often overlooked museum, home to several panels by Fra Angelico as well as a wonderful altarpiece by Plautilla Nelli. Nearby is the former Benedictine Convent of Sant’ Apollonia, where we will see the Last supper by Andrea del Castagno, a contemporary of Fra Angelico.
After lunch we will visit the Dominican church of Santa Maria Novella, a veritable treasure trove of art and architecture. We will discuss the Rule of St. Dominic with the fascinating frescoes found in the Spanish Chapel (former Chapter House) before moving on to see the frescoes of the Chiostro Verdi by Uccello. In the church we will look at the Trinity by Masaccio, (currently under restoration and so will be revealed in all its glory by the time we arrive) and the monumental Last Supper painted by the Dominican nun Plautilla Nelli. We will continue with our theme of the Dominicans, who were famed for their pharmaceutical knowledge, with a visit to the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella housed in the original pharmacy, dating from 1610 and beautifully frescoed. Dinner will be at a great place across the Arno.
Friday 10th October
We will spend the day in Fiesole where a young Fra Angelico entered into the Monastery of San Domenico and painted his first works. Still to be found in the church is his Maestà with the background painted by Lorenzo di Credi. We hope to gain permission to enter the Chapter House to see two more works by Fra Angelico – the Crucifixion and a Madonna and Child. Nearby is the lovely little Museo Bandini, home to some beautiful Florentine paintings from the 13th and 14th centuries and several Della Robbia terracotta works of art.
We shall have a good lunch just off the piazza before deviating from the theme of our trip with a quick look at the Etruscans in Fiesole along with the Roman theatre. Besides the wonderful art we find in the hilltop town, the trip will be worth it for the fabulous views of Florence laid out below us. We will return to the city in time for a rest before heading out to dinner.
Saturday 11th October
We will start the day with a private view of the Fra Angelico exhibition where we will be taken around by one of expert guides from the Palazzo Strozzi. It will be such a treat to have all of the works to ourselves. Once the exhibition opens to the public we will nip out for a coffee and then return to look around at our leisure when you will be able to spend as long as you wish before your favourite paintings.
We will have lunch in the centre of town. The afternoon will be free for you to explore the city further and for some shopping, or maybe a walk up to San Miniato. We will meet up again for dinner at a great local Florentine haunt.
Sunday 12th October
We will spend our last morning in the Accademia, but we will not follow the crowds to the David, instead we will head upstairs to the excellent and pretty empty painting collection. We will discuss the quattrocento and early cinquecento panels and see how these influenced the work of Fra Angelico and his contemporaries. On the way out we should quickly stop to have chat about Michelangelo’s David – a perfect way to finish the trip. One last delicious lunch before taking our coach to the airport for our flight home.
Further Details
Tuition – Charlie Winton and Richard Stemp will lead the trip. Both know Florence well and are not only experts in the art of the city but also know where to find the best restaurants, shops and cafes.
Itinerary – The Palazzo Strozzi have not yet released a list of works in the exhibition, so if an altarpiece we aim in visit in situ turns out to be moved to the exhibition we will need to amend the itinerary accordingly.
Hotels – We will stay at the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni set in a Renaissance palace on the Piazza Santo Spirito. The hotel has a relaxed, old world charm and a large wonderful loggia for evening drinks. It is located on the south side of the River Arno and so is away from the bustle of tourism. There are bars and two great trattorie along with a weekly market in the piazza.
Flights – We do not book the flights thus allowing you to travel to suit your budget, use airmiles, travel between different airports or on different dates. We recommend buying the following flights with Vueling:
8th October London Gatwick 08.30 – 11.50 Florence VY6200
12th October Florence 17.45 – 19.10 London Gatwick VY6208
Transport – There will be a private coach for the airport transfer to meet the recommended flights. We will explore Florence by foot.
Ability – There is a lot of walking on this trip, as well cobbles. As is the case for all our courses, there is a lot of standing while we discuss the works we are looking at. The hotel is in a beautiful part of the city, away from tourists, but it is the other side of the Arno to most of the places we will visit.
Lunches and Dinners – Lunches are a set menu of two courses to include drinks. Dinner is by no means compulsory, but we book a table for the group each night at different restaurants and divide the bill equally between everyone. Sometimes these may also need to be a set menu but we try our best to avoid this. We will adjust the bill for those not drinking alcohol.
Fees – The fees are £2250 which includes accommodation and breakfast, all lunches, transfers for the recommended flight, transport when connected with teaching, entrance fees, private view of exhibition, tuition, reading lists and local advice. The single occupancy supplement is £200 (double room for single use). Not included are the flights, all suppers, travel insurance. The group will not exceed 16 people and we will divide in to two smaller groups wherever possible.
To register – Please complete the online registration form, having read our terms and conditions and pay a deposit of £600 via bank transfer. Your place is not confirmed until we have received the deposit.
If you have any queries please email charlie@arthistoryabroad or call 01379 871800 (302
NB you must buy your own flights
