Immersive Van Gogh

In a rare case of being in the know, while my usual modus operandi is to be a year or two behind, I was able to get tickets to what has fast become the hottest show in town:  Immersive Van Gogh.

I wasn't sure what to expect, or in which ways we would be immersed in Van Gogh's art . . .

And, frankly, neither Van Gogh, nor Impressionists in general are my cup of tea . . .

Though, naturally, I recognize their importance . . .

But the show truly blew me away!

I had never paid close attention to his brush strokes . . . 

Or his frantic use of color . . .

And there were the sunflowers, which I love . . .

And the lovely music, which at one point, inspired a guest to start some yoga poses . . .

The soundtrack was inspired, ranging from classical, to impressionist to the modern French chansons, including the incomparable Edith Piaf and her “ Non, je ne regrette rien. ”

It was marvelous.

Venice Again - Day 5

We spent quite a bit of time today at the Museo Correr, located on the south side of Piazza San Marco, and dedicated to the art and history of Venice.

Taken from one of the windows at the museum.  The explanation still eludes us.

One of their famous large globes.

There were large collections of weapons . . .

Now, where did I put my keys . . . ?

In the Globe Room, a wall display of shields.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to see a table set for a dinner party here?  The possibilities boggle the mind.

Venice Again - Day 4

We decided to keep our daytime activities simple, since we had tickets for the opera at night.  

We decided this was the perfect day to go see the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, across the Grand Canal.

There are many unusual pieces in the collection that left me completely mystified.

I am a true philistine when it comes to modern art.

The Break of Day, Paul Delvaux, 1937.

Seated Woman II, Joan Miró, February1939, Oil on Canvas.

Sphere No. 3, Arnaldo Pomodoro, 1964, Bronze

Seal, Jean Arp.

The Horse, Raymond Duchamp-Villon, 1914, Bronze.  Sometimes, you gotta laugh!

On the way back, we stopped at the church of Santa Maria della Salute, which we had been looking at from across the pond for several days now.

It was actually rather plain on the inside.  I took a few minutes to light a candle for a friend.

We had now worked up an appetite, and it was the perfect time to go back to Harry's.

We ordered their famous, but amazingly overpriced bellinis.  They were very refreshing, though.

My husband ordered the Filet of Sole . . .

I had the Mushroom Risotto, which, in my opinion, is one of the best reasons to come to Venice in the Fall — mushroom season!

Then back on the vaporetto to our hotel for an afternoon nap.

We had to conserve our energy, you see, because we had tickets that night to see The Marriage of Figaro, by Mozart.

La Fenice (the Phoenix) Opera House has burned down to the ground several times . . .

And each time, it gets rebuilt with unparalleled grandeur.

Even the curtain was exquisitely embroidered.

To be sitting in the same theatre where Verdi debuted La Traviata . . . it was pretty special.

Venice Again - Day 3

Somehow, our morning eggs taste a little better while sitting under Murano chandeliers.

Today was a busy one.  We visited the Accademia on our last trip, but I really needed another look.

Standing in front of The Feast in the House of Levin by Veronese (18.21 ft. by 42.98 ft.).  Originally titled The Last Supper, the Inquisition accused the painter of irreverence, indecorum and heresy, and demanded that he make changes to the painting.  Instead, Veronese simply changed the title.

Sala di Capitolo, Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia . . .

The ceiling is covered in gilded cherubs, each with a slightly different face.

Then back at Piazza San Marco for a bite to eat at Caffè Florian.  The food is delivered covered in these metallic mesh domes, to protect it from the pigeons.

We walked all over . . .

Until it was late, and even the gondole were covered up . . .

And ended up at the terrace in our hotel . . .

With the great view of Santa Maria della Salute.

In gratitude for the deliverance of the city from the Plague, the city of Venice built and dedicated this church to the Our Lady of Health.

We enjoyed some cappuccinos — how very American of us!  Italians wouldn't dream of having a cappuccino at any time except breakfast!  We also noticed that whenever you order coffee anywhere in Italy, it always comes with a few cookies.  It's such a charming, hospitable touch!

“Ah, che luna — oh, che nare

With such a moon and such a sea

And you and me

I get so dizzy when you're standing near

It's not the music that you hear

My heart is beating like a jungle drum

Let's take the minutes as they speed away

And hope it's true what people say:

When you're in love tomorrow never comes.”

                                — Frank Sinatra