The Medici’s in Florence had so much wealth, they needed a place to stash it. They created the Gallery we explored for over 3 hours in the early 1500’s. This place was way beyond incredible. There was art from all the renaissance artists you may or may not have heard of, including: Michelangelo 
Da Vinci
and, one of my favourites, Caravaggio 
Of course we saw the “Venus on the half shell” 
by Botticelli. I was particularly struck by some of the portraits. Like this woman in a larger painting by Suttermanns, 
Or this one by Bonacossi
There were also all sorts statues from all sorts of eras. This one seemed to be a classic pose
and this one had all the talent and all the drama
We finished our tour with a relaxing lunch. There is nothing like the backache that arises from walking on centuries old stone floors.
We wandered a little through the leather market and headed back to the restorative swimming pool at our apartments.
travelswithannmarie 