Resting in a glass display case at Casa Buonarroti (Michelangelo’s home in Florence) is a pair of simple leather shoes that belonged to the master himself. 

My visit to Florence was both for work and pleasure. My work was a painting workshop that used classic and meticulous methods to coax nuances of color out of three primary colors of oil paint and apply them to carefully crafted drawings on canvas. 

This technique is unlike my usual "paint now, fix later" approach and encouraged me to slow down and appreciate the process without focusing on the outcome.

On my last day in Florence, I visited Casa Buonarroti, a small, unassuming museum that I had wanted to see during my previous visits, but didn’t find the time. No long lines, no “reserved time” entrance. Just the most magical experience that takes you through a carefully curated collection of Etruscan art relics, school of Michelangelo painting and sculpture, incredible frescos and two of his works, including a marble relief that was his first commission completed for the Medicis at the age of 14. 

It's hard to describe how it feels to visit his actual home, carefully preserved and curated by his family and the docents of Florence for almost 500 years. Strolling through the courtyard, the chapel, and the common rooms. Knowing that he lived and worked there before being summoned to Rome by greedy popes who exploited his incredible talent. It creates a human connection that feels both personal and spiritual. 

Scientists have analyzed Michelangelo’s leather shoes and determined that he was only 5’3” tall. It’s hard to imagine a man so small could leave a legacy so large that is just as alive today as it was 500 years ago. It’s a reminder that art can transcend time and the endurance of the human spirit can truly be eternal.