Museum-Bound Companions for Those of Us Who Have Never Taken an Art History Class

Lets face it fellow Americans, the majority of the finest classical art can be found in no other than Europe central… especially Florence. But just because Europe has somewhat of an iron grip on the world’s most significant pieces of art – they’ve been known to pillage, plunder and bribe weaker countries out of some of their most valuable artifacts without much of a moral consciousness – doesn’t mean we can’t give this cultured crowd a run for their money!

Unless you were an Art History major, classical art – strictly speaking art produced during the Medieval and Renaissance periods – can seem… well… forgive me… a bit boring. I mean, you’ve seen one nativity scene you’ve seen them all, right? Can’t they paint something ELSE? For those of us who didn’t just gasp in horror, how can we hope to traverse this world of archaic imagery and stay engaged?

I recently returned from a twenty-one day marthon-esque crusade through some of Italy’s most exalted art galleries, mostly at the command of my culture-crazed parents. Reading my mother’s itinerary alone, was enough for me to get up and pour myself a stiff drink. Galleries like the ones in Italy can take hours to traverse and can be massively overwhelming to say the least. My mission? To not end up like the figure on my right. My weapons? The following three books.

Understanding Paintings: Bible Stories and Classical Myths in Art

By Patrick De Rynck

After wanderings around the Uffizi Gallery in Florence for a good three hours, bleary-eyed and foot sore, I was inevitably funneled into the colossal-sized museum gift shop. Amongst cheesy magnets, key chains and mouse pads, I found this book. This was just what I needed… something to get all those crazy Greek gods and biblical saints straightened out once and for all. I cozied up in a corner amongst a pile of Carravagio posters and settled in for what would probably be an hour wait for my dad -- a man who could spend literally days in a museum if he wasn’t strong armed out by a couple of museum security guards. Good god, what could he possibly be staring at for so long? It’s a basket of fruit for Christ sakes.

So anyways, back to the book. It’s organized by the common Latin name of the god, hero or historical figure. Then, once you turn to that particular figure, the subject of the painting are organized from earliest to most current. Lets turn for example to Jesus Christ. The first image we see… any guesses? Quite obviously, the Nativity. The beginning of the life of Christ. What I really love about this book, is that it gives the actual text – either the biblical text or the literary text – that describes the scene being painted. It then shows several depictions of the scene done by different artists and explains how each put their own spin on the scene. Cool, huh?

If you only pick up this book for a few minutes to flip through at Borders or hopefully your local independent booksmith, flip to the section on Judith and her beheading of Holofernes… its no surprise that the scene was painted by several prominent artists of the day, most famously Caravaggio. No one can resist a good beheading, especially a painter. Who wouldn’t pause a few extra minutes in front of a painting depicting a young maiden about to drop a severed head into a knapsack? It certainly beats a basket of fruit. For Caravaggio’s famous depiction of Judith slicing off the head of Holofernes click here.

Symbolism and Allegories in Art

By Matilde Battistini

Once I handed over my 28 euros for the first book… I couldn’t stop myself. Not surprisingly, I barely had time to refuel before we were off to the next museum – the Galleria dell’Accademia – famous for possessing Michelangelo’s David sculpture. Slightly overrated in my opinion, but I transgress. Yet again, after a few hours and still miles ahead of my parents, I was browsing another museum gift shop and I found this little book. This is a great companion book to the first I mentioned above. By having both, you’re really covering your bases. Here’s why: this book explains how certain themes – not people or mythical figures – arise in paintings and what they usually symbolize.

Lets start with a popular biblical image, say the garden. When you see a garden in a classic painting, does it have special meaning? According to Ms. Battistini, a garden represents man’s ordering of nature and reason’s dominance over unconscious impulses. Ahem… sound familiar? The author goes on to explain that walls around a garden underscore the garden’s boundary lines between nature and culture. Who knew? Take a look at the late 1400s Flemish tapestry The Unicorn in Captivity from the cycle The Hunt for the Unicorn. The fence around the patch of wilderness – a classic symbol for the garden – represents a place where bestial passions are tamed. I think I’m seeing a pattern here.

Art in the Modern Era: A Guide to Styles, Schools and Movements

By Amy Dempsy

After an unholy dose of classical art, by the time we had reached Venice I needed a trip back to the future. My parents and I parted ways – they to the National Gallery and me to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum…. ahhh at last… nothing like some paint splattered on a canvas to make us Americans feel right at home. Of course, interpretation wise, we’re not much better off, are we? No one will leave you scratching your head like Pollak and Rothko. Pretty to look at, sure… but how can one tell the Picasco from the bum on the street corner pedaling cheap knock-offs?

This book is great for anyone who wants to have a deeper understanding of why certain pieces are famous and the artists who created them. While I only flipped through briefly, I am definitely going to pick up a copy before I head to my local MOMA back in Boston. Check out this artist’s webpage for a quick and dirty approach to modern art interpretation.

Ahhh Florence.

And we're off.... to distant lands!

Yes! I have returned to officially jump-start this blog into existence! I recently returned from a three month hiatus in which I was studying for the Massachusetts bar exam and road tripping through the western United States with my good friend jill. In a few short weeks I will be jet setting off to beautiful Italy for eighteen blissful days filled with much history, pasta and gelato! Surely that will be deserving of a post!

In honor of the road trip I just took and my impending trip to Italia, Post #2 will highlight two of my greatest loves - traveling and reading! Here, I share with you a few of my favorite books to pick up when road tripping or jet setting! Please add other recommendations under the comments section.

(Caption: Me standing at the summit of lower Cathedral Lake above Touleme Meadows in Yosemite National Park)

Favorite Books (to listen to on audio) for a Long Drive Alone

The Road by Cormack McCarthy

I listened to this audio on a drive up to San Francisco this past summer. For any of you Californians, you all know how bleak and depressing the drive from L.A. to S.F. up the I-5 can be... especially alone. Just you, the open road and endless stretches of nothingness to keep you company. So, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I thought I'd give this book a listen. It seemed to suit my

circumstances.

First off, let me just say, if you are on a long depressing drive and seeking a "lift me up," move on. This book is about as sad and devastating as it gets. However, if you are a "glass is half full" kind of person, listening to this devastating journey amid an incredibly well crafted backdrop, will certainly help you feel better about your current state of affairs.

The plot immediately delves into a story about a father and a son who are living in (what we come to learn is) a post-apocalyptic world. Little light is shed on what has caused this wide spread catastrophe but we are given several hints throughout the book. I found the most compelling aspect to be the relationship between the father and the son, especially the father's struggle with survival -- driven by the love for his child but battered down by the continuous hopelessness they encounter on their journey. If you can slog through the disheartening landscape and weather the storm of this story, the ending of The Road is well worth it. See the Official Random House Website for The Road to read more.

The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich

Should you find yourself in more natural, beautiful surroundings, I would recommend listening to this book. In a series of twelve essays, Ehrlich, a poet, describes her sensory and emotional experience of living in the quite, abandoned frontier of Wyoming. Many of her the essays depict women she met while living in the western countryside as a ranch hand and their ability to work alongside men, as independent and capable workers, despite the many hardships they are made to endure.

For me, the best part of this book was the writing itself. Ehrlich has the ability to transport her reader to the tranquil and serene landscape of the American West, impressing upon us the importance of leaving our busy lives behind to bask in beauty of nature. See more reviews about this book on goodreads.

Favorite Books for a Camping/Hiking Trip

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Before embarking on my long road trip through the National Parks this past summer, I wanted to find the perfect audiobook for my friend and I to listen to throughout the course of our trip. Immediately, A Walk in the Woods came to mind. This was my second read of this riotously funny story of author, Bill Bryson's epic mission to hike the Appalachian trail.

Having convinced himself that he absolutely must conquer this challenge, he goes in search of a partner and provisions. With little to no practical hiking experience, he departs with hundreds of dollars in equipment, poorly drafted maps, and an ill-equipped hiking companion. What transpires is both hilarious and inspiring, as Bryson describes his journey, the enthralling history of the Appalachian trial and his ultimate love and bond to the north eastern wilderness. I highly recommend this to all who are headed out into the wild on foot. See Bill Bryson's Official Website to read more!

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

For those of you that have been living under a rock, Krakauer is a not-to-miss author and a legend among storytellers. Whether or not you've watched the movie or simply read the back cover of this book jacket, young Chris McCandless's fate in Into the Wild is pretty well established at the get go. It is the journey he takes, however, that is the crux of this novel. McCandless's fate merely adds force to Krakauer's ultimate message, that we should all demonstrate modesty and respect in the face of nature's powerful and often unforgiving forces.

Krakauer follows the true story of Chris McCandless, a somewhat misguided, free spirited young man, who casts out the materialism in his life in search of greater meaning and a deeper connection to nature. Discarding all his worldly possessions and burning what little cash he has, McCandless sets out on a pilgrimage across the U.S. to reach the Alaskan wilderness. Krakauer suppositions McCandless's journey across the American frontier with that of McCandless's days living alone in an abandoned school bus deep in the heart of Alaska. Using McCandless's journal, interviews of friends, relatives, and fellow sojourners that McCandless encountered on his quest, Krakauer is able paint a picture of this young man's expedition, his philosophies and the lives he touched along the way. A enlightening and tragic reminder of the fearlessness of youth, Into the Wild is a story you will not soon forget. Read Chris McCandless's fascinating Bio here.

Favorite Books for a Multi-Destination Trip

Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine

Amidst Adams' mass market giant, the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series, this little book has gone virtually unnoticed much to the detriment of readers everywhere. This story follows the author, Douglas Adams himself, Mark Carwardine, a zoologist, and a small team of individuals as they set out in search of a variety of animals on the precipice of extinction. While the subject matter is serious, this is one of the funniest books I've ever read.

Adams' insight with respect to similarities between humans and animals is both unique and wonderful. He humbles his audience by showing us the majesty of these creatures and the harm humans have imposed by forcing them out of their natural habitats. From the Komodo Dragon lizard, to the Baiji Yangtze River dolphin to the New Zealand Kakapo bird, to the Northern White Rhinoceros, Adams takes us on a wonderful journey to hunt down these animals in the wild and explain the conditions of their impending extinction. Adams' unyielding comic ability makes this journey fun, informative and unique. It's a great homage to Adams lasting legacy as an author. Check out this great video of Douglas Adams speaking at UCSB about the making of this book. I guarantee you will want to go pick it up!

Grounded by Seth Stevenson

Although I can't write from experience yet, as I am planning to read this book while in Italy, the book jacket really grabbed me. The book follows the author and his girlfriend as they attempt to circumnavigate the globe by way of ground transportation only - by train, boat, bike, taxi etc.. I am very much looking forward to reading it as I head over to Rome and I break their number one rule (travel by plane). Check out Seth Stevenson's Website to read more!

Favorite Book for Crossing a Big Ocean (by plane or boat)

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I can't say enough wonderful things about this book. I've probably read it about three or four times now and each time it supersedes my previous expectations. Martel allows his reader to waver in limbo between truth and allegory throughout and, at times, I found this book to be more a work of religious philosophy as opposed to fantasy.

The book follows the main character Pi, short for Piscine, as he travels across a vast ocean on a boat with his father, mother, brother and a representative selection of animals from their Zoo in India (slight Biblical reference there). When their boat is shipwrecked, Pi is the sole human survivor stranded on a tiny life raft with several animals from the boat including, most astonishingly, a male Bengal tiger. His struggle for survival on the open ocean is both heart-wrenching, inspirational, spiritual, and moving.

I guarantee you will be changed after reading this book and will continue to push your limits of belief --what you actually believe to be true and what you want to believe is true. For a quick overview of the plot and themes of the novel, check out this author interview with Yann Martel.

It is a truth universally acknowledged...

.... that a law student must be in want of a life. Boston legal eagle by day... bibliophile, letter-writer, crafter, artist, traveler, cook and adventurer by night....

If you are lover of wit, wisdom, and the beauty of a well-told story, join me on my musings through the world of all things that inspire!