12/11/97

Another Trip to Florence

I went to meet George Tatge who works for the Alinari Archive. After, it seems, years of communicating by mail of many sorts and through mutual friends we finally meet face to face. He was, as expected, similar to myself in many respects because we share many interests. He was excited to meet with a photographer who is interested in photography, as he put it. We had a wonderful exchange. We both showed each other work.

It was the first time I have met an Italian photographer who photographs the landscape. I told him that. He said that most Italians are more culturally interested. They show evidence or affects of the culture. It is all photojournalism here. Perhaps his roots as an American show in his work. Although he has moved around much during his life. A very gentle man and we hit it off right away.

I went early and walked to the Uffizi Museum. Michele said that it is an incredible museum and of course she was correct. The grand hall way gave me a dizzying sensation when I first arrived. A long corridor with a wonderfully painted ceiling lined with amazing sculptures. I walked dazed. I was impressed by the Botticelli's, Da Vinci and Rembrandt's among others.

Speaking of getting dizzy, The French writer Stendhal expressed a feeling of giddy faintness that left him unable to walk after being dazzled by the magnificence of the Church of Santa Croce. This condition is now known as Stendhalismo, or Stendhal's Disease, described by Florentine doctors who treat up to 12 cases each year. I felt like I got an introduction to him and his namesake today.

I often remember a comment from Michele when she said that if she sees another virgin and child she is going to puke. The museum, as many in Italy, (and of course every church) are full of them. But what ever you think of the catholic religion it sure has produced some wonderful art.