Yesterday evening and this evening my spouse and I watched a two part history of Leonardo da Vinci, aired on our local PBS station. It was very well done and completely captivating. While watching it though, I was reminded of two very different experiences I have had while viewing famous works of art in Italy. On my first trip to Italy, about sixteen years ago, the friend I was traveling with had planned ahead and made reservations for us to see Leonardo's Last Supper. You must have tickets well in advance to see this masterpiece. Viewing it was a wonderful, peaceful experience. Only a limited number of people at a time were allowed in to see it, and I think we were allowed to spend a half hour there. It was an excellent experience.
By contrast, during my most recent trip to Italy in 2023, with a very good tour group, we were taken to see Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling; another amazing work of art by an equally talented and renowned artist. To see this masterpiece, our travel group of about 40 people was herded into a long corridor with several other groups. We then proceeded to walk through what felt like five miles of chambers and corridors until we finally arrive at the chapel. There we were allowed into the chapel in a group so large that it was literally "standing room only." We were packed so tightly that we couldn't move around much at all. We simply stood and craned our necks to see as much of the ceiling as we could see from our vantage point. I can say I've seen the Sistine Chapel ceiling, but it certainly wasn't a satisfying experience. Such a contrast.
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