Why go to Tuscany to read American poets?
During the time of the Renaissance, the enlightened ruler of Florence, Lorenzo di Medici, hosted a circle of philosophers, poets and painters known as the Florentine Academy. They spent their days discussing the many possible meanings of the paintings and art works of men of genius like Donatello and Botticelli. It seems as if the goal of their discussions and interpretations was not to establish definitive readings, but rather to enliven the imagination and heighten their receptivity to the power of art. We aim to provide you with a setting in Tuscany in which we will discuss the images in Renaissance paintings and the images in American poetry in much the same way. Be prepared for vivid dreams and conversations late into the night.
