Livetweeting Florence

Seeing Raphael's self portrait last year proved ominous, a painting I have since learnt more about

During my trip to Florence late last year I was hoping to liveblog what I experienced. For those that are not familiar with the term, liveblogging is blogging about something as you are experiencing it. This is commonly done in the tech world, reporting on conferences and press events showcasing the latest applications and hardware.

Due to logistical issues, I did not get around to liveblogging my trip but did do an abbreviated form it using the twitter platform via my phone. Making brief notes about a specific event as it is happening is much more suited to the twitter platform, and is usually called livetweeting.

An enthralling display at the Laurentian Library, showcasing the Medici obsession with books

For posterity's sake(not to mention my own nostalgia), I have collated all my Florence livetweets here - mostly observations about works I saw and places I visited. For those curious - tweets can easily be embedded in the code of a blog post using a BlackBird bookmarklet or plugin.

My trip to Florence was an important experience for me. Not all of it was pleasant and dazzling, as I have written about in previous posts - but I would venture to say that visiting Florence is an important rite of passage for anyone with a deeper interest in Renaissance art. If I ever did go back, it would be as part of a specific event or conference perhaps, but not as a wandering tourist. For those planning an art focused trip to Florence the custom Google map I created to get around is embedded at the bottom of this page.

Arrived in Florence. Extremely tired! I had some time to kill before check-in so went to Uffizi to get my Museum pass. Bargello tomorrow...Tue Sep 28 12:37:06 via Power Twitterthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Nice and sunny in Florence today. Went to Medici library, saw my first illuminated manuscript, plus a volume of Ficino.. wow!Wed Sep 29 09:39:42 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Tweeting from Brunelleschi's Dome.... The 3G reception here is pretty good!Wed Sep 29 12:47:14 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Donatello's David is gorgeous, but anatomical dimensions inconsistent to a trained eye. Very unlikely to be from a life cast!Wed Sep 29 13:21:29 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Happy Birthday Caravaggio! Coming to see your work at Palatine Gallery soon!Wed Sep 29 13:31:15 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Been here just over a day, but second visit to Uffizi... can't stop looking at Botticelli's Primavera and Leonardo's Annunciation. Magical!Wed Sep 29 14:59:39 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

The Uffizi is very stuffy... dress light!Wed Sep 29 15:03:08 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Raphael's lovely self portrait is in a delightfully unique looking frame.. love itWed Sep 29 15:05:37 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Gadget and art fans: Google maps walking directions beta working well in Florence so far.Thu Sep 30 09:10:17 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Loved the Bronzino exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi. Air conditioned, quiet, calm atmosphere allows for a less hectic experience than UffiziThu Sep 30 14:37:11 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Met US art blogger Jenna at Palazzo Pitti today, loved seeing the Raphael portraits, and Giorgione's 'Three Ages' Back to Uffizi next!Fri Oct 01 13:09:57 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Just read Fried's chapter on Caravaggio Boy Bitten at Uffizi bookshop. Lot of words, no direct mention of digitus impudicus or its symbolismFri Oct 01 15:07:41 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Lots of hooks along the walls of the Loggia Dei Lanzi in Florence.. they must have hung banners and tapestries there at some stageFri Oct 01 15:26:39 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

@albertis_window Hi M! Just passed Alberti's Tomb at Santa Croce. Said Hello for you :)Sat Oct 02 13:43:58 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

LOVED the interactive exhibit of Gozzoli's Chapel at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi... THAT'S how to present Art History in the 21st Century!Sat Oct 02 16:20:53 via HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

GPS says I've walked 35kms in Florence! Must admit, I'm about done being a tourist, itching to get back to my blog, books & art mysteries!Sun Oct 03 18:14:55 via   HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

1st Florentine mosquito bite! Lucky mozzie should find my Cypriot blood has a familiar Mediterranean tang with a dash of Eastern excitement!Sun Oct 03 19:14:08 via   HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Lol...I was warned about Florentine mosquitos... the people who warned me have never been to Australia. Killer bugs making me homesick!Sun Oct 03 19:25:37 via   HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

Back home from Florence! The art was nice, but I got a cold! Back blogging on 3PP soon!Wed Oct 06 21:30:01 via   HTC Peepthree pipe problem
3pipenet

View 3PP Florence 2010 in a larger map