A Mental Conquest

           Sketching is my method of conquesting something I cannot possess. After attempting the impression sketching in class, I realized what really made me enjoy sketching (especially ancient architecture) is the capturing of the details. Florence is so full of symbols, that nothing we observe is there by chance. They usually carry a deeper meaning than just merely an aesthetic function.

            The three great churches in Florence - Santa Maria del Fiore, Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce although very different in their façades, have one common feature. All are adorned with polychrome marble panels of white and green and have classical iconography and geometry. These architectural iconographies fit a rigorous overall geometry. Another church that fits into this category is San Miniato al Monte near Piazza Michelangelo.

              This is my first proper sketch in 2013. I started on a new job and for two consecutive days I get to see the beautiful façade of this church. I should have included the stairs leading to the church. It was the first comment given to me when I showed it to get another opinion. However, I think leaving some details out won't harm it and end up crowding the sketch. Piazza Santa Croce is one of the most visited squares in Florence. I witnessed scores of tour groups passing this square from the nine hours spent looking out. 

            Basilica of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world. It has been very particular to me due to several reasons. The symbols it carries on its façade is perplexing; the most striking being the Jewish Star of David. That's because it's 19th century façade was designed by Jewish architecture Niccolo Matas from Ancona. The church is also known as the Temple of the Italian Glories (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie) as it is the burial place of the most illustrious Italians like Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini. There are two statues of Dante, one of the outside as well. Ironically, due to his Jewish background, Matas was not buried within its walls but under the porch. Yet, something so prominent to be displayed for centuries - the Star of David is allowed as the main composition of the neo-Gothic façade.

               Piazza Santa Croce, perhaps known informally as the "Square of Leather" to tourists, earned it's reputation from the genre of business surrounding it. All around the square and the streets leading to it are shops of leather products - bags, shoes, jackets, accessories. Florence is well-known for it's leather products, with Piazza Santa Croce as one of the most concentrated areas of leather shops.