Vaguely Taking in the Art

Ok, now back to Venice. It’s not easy, sitting here with CNN chattering in my ear about the election, but it’s what this blog is here for.
First thing yesterday we shot straight to the Basilica dei Maria dei Frari de-something, the one we had to see for art class. I’m sorry I’m not more specific, but there’s no less than 20 churches of Maria de-something-or-anothers here, and I’ve peeked in at least half of them. This one was a great big gothic thing, done in brick and very Italian. Our piece was Tiziano Vecellio’s “Pala dell’Assunta,” the assumption of Mary. It’s a great big oil painting, an altarpiece showing Mary ascending to Heaven with dozens of fat little cherubim carrying her away from the panicky masses. Someone, I assume it’s Joseph, her worldly husband, reaches up to her desperately, but her eyes are locked on an old man held fast by angels, presumably God, but maybe Moses. I’m not sure what I’m going to say about it in my essay, but I imagine that’ll be most of it. I enjoy art, but I’m not always well spoken about it.
I’m missing a Salvador Dali exhibition here. I would’ve liked to have seen it, Dali’s an intriguing artist. It’ll be here until February or March, I think, so if you’re on your way to Europe, stop by Venice and have a look.