Statuary

Michelangelo's works have always moved me.

In the Ringling Museum of Art, a reproduction of David stands in the garden. When I was in high school, I'd marvel at its perfection. I still do.

The museum is a Renaissance-Baroque style palace modeled after great Italian museums. Throughout its 21 galleries, sculptures appeared everywhere, from classical Greek and Roman pieces to polished granite abstracts.

Sometimes, friends and I would steal over to a quiet spot on the grounds filled with broken statuary. Stone cherubs and marble goddesses seemed alive, caught a sorcerer's spell.

It was a magical place.