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February 29 - The Uffizi Gallery and Private
Visit of the Vasari Corridor
Join Art Historian and SUF Patrons’ Coordinator Elaine Ruffolo
for an exclusive visit to the Uffizi Gallery and Vasari Corridor.
The Uffizi Gallery was one of the first in Europe to emerge in accordance
with the modern idea of a museum. View excellent works by artists
such as Giotto, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo. Follow
in the footsteps of princes as you pass from the Uffizi into the
Vasari Corridor. Opened exclusively for the Patrons of Syracuse University
in Florence, you will hear about the history of this fascinating
corridor that passes over the heads of the Florentines from the offices
of the Medici to their private palace. Today, the corridor boasts
the greatest collection of artist’s self portraits in the world.
Lunch will be served at the Villa Rossa following the visit. |
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March 28 - A Private Visit to the
Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe
According to the Renaissance historian, Giorgio Vasari, drawing was
the element that made the Florentines superior to artists from other
regions. The Gabinetto dei Desegni e delle Stampe contains one of
the greatest collections of Renaissance drawings in the world, including
the first landscape drawing by Leonardo da Vinci, architectural drawings
by Bramante, and silverpoints by Parmagianino. Join Curator Doctor
Giorgio Marini for an exclusive visit to the drawing archive to view
an assortment of drawings, including a special selection by the seventeenth-century
artist Guido Reni. |
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May 9 - The Mysterious Etruscans: Day
Trip to Volterra
The earliest evidence of Etruscan civilization dates back to the
ninth-century BC. They migrated to Italy from Asia Minor, attracted
to the area called Etruria (now in Tuscany) by its mineral wealth,
which they exploited to produce weapons, armor, tools and jewelry
to trade with Greece. After a fierce war with Rome in 395 BC, the
Etruscan civilization was eclipsed by Roman rule. However, their
religious beliefs and aspects of their daily life greatly influenced
Roman civilization.
Led by SUF Professor and Archeologist Charles Ewell, explore this
village perched on the top of a hill overlooking Tuscany. This sleepy
hill town settlement was once a powerful Etruscan settlement. Visit
the ruins of its ancient inhabitants and the important Archeological
Museum, which houses a large and fascinating collection of Etruscan
items. Enjoy lunch at a local trattoria. |
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June 12 - Jazz & Cocktail Reception
Celebrate the beginning of summer with your fellow Patrons and SUF
faculty and staff in the lovely SUF garden. Enjoy jazz and cocktails
under the stars. |
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October 9 - Private visit to Villa I Tatti
and the Botticelli Conference
Enjoy the afternoon learning about the renown collection of Bernard
Berenson at Villa I Tatti. The Harvard University Center for Italian
Renaissance Studies at Villa I Tatti is devoted to the advanced study
of the Italian Renaissance. The villa’s unique library contains
approximately 130,000 volumes. The collection comprehends some 120
works of Renaissance and oriental art. By special permission enter
collector Bernard Berenson’s home and view this marvelous collection.
Following the tour, join the scholarly community at I Tatti for an
international conference, co-hosted by SUF and the Horne Museum,
devoted to the collector Herbert Horne and his research on Botticelli.
A reception will follow the conference. |
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November 14 - Tuscan Hill Towns: Day Trip
to Pienza and Siena
Pienza was created during the Renaissance under Pope Pius II. Everything
about the design of Pienza is intended to exalt reason and perspective.
Join SUF architectural historian, Richard Ingersoll for a tour of
the city’s important architecture and piazza. Enjoy lunch at
a local trattoria.
With Professor Ingersoll and fellow patrons, close the day with a
visit to Siena. Visit the major monuments of the city such as the
Piazza del Campo, considered one of the most beautiful spaces in
the world, the Palazzo Pubblico, often cited as one of Italy’s
loveliest buildings, and, of course, the Cathedral of Siena. |
