Modernity in the Heart of the Renaissance

Many people visit Florence because of its deep roots in the Renaissance. As the home of that era, wonderful works of art such as Michelangelo’s David are still housed in Florence. With so much history, it is no wonder that lines for museums such as Accademia and Uffizi wrap around the block on a daily basis. As someone who has been living in Florence for a little over a month now, I highly recommend you visit these historic pieces of art, but there is also a new wave of art in Florence that deserves to be explored. 

Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Museum in Florence
Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia Museum in Florence

Modern art in Florence can be seen everywhere. Graffiti covers every wall, street sign and trash can in this city. It is not like the graffiti that most Americans will think of when they hear that word, this graffiti is meant to be art. From one side of the city to the other you can see works of art decorating the walls that become recognizable as being from the same artists.

If you love to explore museums and have an interest in fashion like I do, the Gucci museum is for you. The factory for the designer brand is right outside of Florence so, much like the Renaissance, it has its roots in Firenze. This museum is unlike any other in Florence at this time. The detail was so immaculate and the clothing so beautiful that I could feel my heart beating out of my chest in awe. The beauty, and sparkle, was so overwhelming I could have spent all day ogling at the displays. Another great thing was that I visited on a Saturday and waited less than five minutes to get my ticket, which was only eight euro! 

While in Florence, if you are looking for something that is artistic but new, I highly recommend that you take a day to look around the city and find all the graffiti art you can. And if you need a break from that because the Tuscan summers can be very hot, then I’d suggest checking out some beautiful designer clothes at the Gucci Museum.

Teal cape in the Gucci Museum, Florence
Sequence dress in the Gucci Museum, Florence
Graffiti on a building in Florence

Hannah Anglea is a student at Concordia University Chicago and an ISA Featured Blogger. She is studying abroad with ISA in Florence, Italy.

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