Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna

Charlotte and I had to write a synopsis of a story we'd read in our Italian class this morning; then we corrected each others writing. It comes as no surprise that Charlotte made fewer grammatical errors than I. Learning a new language is challenging.

When I returned home, Josh and I decided to visit the Modern Art Museum. This is our local museum, located in a large and gorgeous, neo-classical building just a few blocks from our home in Rome -- but we had yet set to set foot in it. On the walk over to the Museum, we stopped at the Aldrovandi Palace Hotel. Part two of the reconnaissance mission for Uncle Larry's impending visit to Rome. Plus, I love visiting hotels. Unlike the last time when I stopped by to see a room, today we were greeted by the front desk staff and a very charming head of housekeeping who had worked at the hotel for 27 years. She very enthusiastically showed us several rooms although there was not much to distinguish them besides the smoking/non-smoking aspect and the views. The hotel itself is lovely and has many features absent from the neighboring Lord Byron -- especially in the summertime when the pool is open!

The Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna is extensive and houses many 19th and 20th century Italian artists along with a handful of works by artists of other nationalities (ie. Kandinsky, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Rodin and Duchamp). The exhibition space itself is beautiful as was an imposing and grand statue of Ercole and Lica by Canova in one of the central galleries. Given the extensive collection, however, few pieces were noteworthy. At the same time, the Museum is hosting an exhibit called: Women, Pioneering Feminists of the 1970's which we both found to be the most provacative and inspiring part of our visit. Artists included Cindy Sherman, Francesca Woodman and Birgit Jurgensenn (who photographed transformations of herself well before Cindy Sherman did).

The Museum also has a lovely cafe -- which has a separate entrance for non-Museum visitors -- where Josh enjoyed a panino while we took a break from touring the galleries. The cafe's outdoor terrace will be a wonderful place to have a cocktail in the warm weather months. Even today, several people were sitting outside.

Later in the afternoon, I took Olivia and Charlotte to swimming. I hopped into my favorite sauna while Olivia had her lesson. Afterwards, she and I had an outing to La Dolce Vita on Viale Parioli for a gelato. I simply double-parked, right out front (as many cars do up and down the street), and we ordered our cones and sat outside on the bench. Who says it's inconvenient living in this city? The ancients may not have planned for parking lots, but in the end, you park wherever you want -- which, in a way, turns the whole city in to one big parking lot!