A crisp, cold day for yesterday’s trip to Siena. I chose a sunny day because I find the city a little dark and I wanted to experience her in the light. Yes, the buildings along the hilly streets block out the light, but her history is also dark.
Siena was a city that fought against Florence and never came out on top. In the trecento, the active and vibrant Sienese School produced artistic works by Duccio, his pupil Simone Martini, the brothers Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Domenico and Taddeo di Bartolo, Sassetta, and Matteo di Giovanni; Giovanni Pisano was a prolific sculptor; the magnificent cathedral was built. In 1344 the Black Death halted this magnificent development of the city’s art. The Republic of Siena jogged along until the mid 1550s when was annexed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Enjoy the light.
Siena was a city that fought against Florence and never came out on top. In the trecento, the active and vibrant Sienese School produced artistic works by Duccio, his pupil Simone Martini, the brothers Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Domenico and Taddeo di Bartolo, Sassetta, and Matteo di Giovanni; Giovanni Pisano was a prolific sculptor; the magnificent cathedral was built. In 1344 the Black Death halted this magnificent development of the city’s art. The Republic of Siena jogged along until the mid 1550s when was annexed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
Enjoy the light.