The Rest of Us Just Copy

A view of Florence from the top of the Cathedral's Dome

Florence: a bustling city packed with hundreds of years of history and discovery. The view from the top of the "Duomo" (Cathedral) was spectacular - thousands of ant-like figures roamed the narrow streets, and a blanket of red brick rooftops covered the city as far as the eye could see.

From a glance, one might notice the city's architecture and crowded streets. But, underneath the red rooftops lies an incredible collection of various forms of art, waiting to be noticed and observed. We had the opportunity to visit several art museums, all of which displayed different kinds of beauty and styles.

I was struck by the noticeable difference of the paintings which spanned a few time periods. For instance, many paintings before the Renaissance appeared flat since artists did not try to create a three dimensional feel. However, as the Renaissance came and went, artists experimented with life-like dimensions, trying to make the viewer feel part of the painting. Below are two paintings showing the difference. The one on the left portrays the angel visiting Mary for the first time. Their faces clearly appear flat and without depth. The painting on the right, however, marks a complete change in style. Michelangelo allows viewers to feel drawn into the painting, and the size of Mary and Joseph compared to the figures in the background gives a sense of depth.

The angel approaching Mary

Michelangelo's depiction of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus

Watching the transformation of styles absolutely blew me away. It was inspiring to see how art - painting and sculpting alike - changed over the years. I still am in awe that we could see this transformation in the form of so many well-known works: Michelangelo's "David," "The Birth of Venus," and Raphael's portraits lined the halls of these museums.

What struck me more, however, is that even the best paintings and sculptures are nothing compared to God's creation. We may "ooh" and "aah" when we see a life-like sculpture or a painting that shows three dimensions, but it can't compare to how complex God has created us and the world around us to be. As Michelangelo himself so eloquently put it, "Only God creates. The rest of us just copy."

-Rebecca