TRAVEL | MEMOIR
Italy’s Art Gave Power to My Storytelling
Michelangelo’s creativity impacted me in a surprising way
I listened with rapt attention as Mary, our museum tour guide, narrated the stories behind the art we were seeing. Mary was a powerful storyteller, and her love for art history was evident in every inflection in her voice and expression on her face. She talked about Michelangelo as though she knew him intimately.
Our Italian tour guide masterfully wove together the backstory of the pieces we were observing, making them come to life. I was captivated by the tiny details and suddenly obsessed with the creative genius of Michelangelo.
I experienced firsthand the power of storytelling to unlock artistic beauty that our eyes might otherwise not perceive. I felt a visceral reaction to sculptures simply because our impassioned tour guide showed us who the artist was and what he was trying to convey.
Somehow, understanding Michelangelo the man, allowed me to experience the beauty and emotion in his art. It was as though the marble came alive before my eyes. And in those sacred moments, I understood the privilege we as writers hold within our stories.
What started as a simple visit to a popular Florence museum turned into a life lesson…
