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Michelangelo’s ‘Taddei Tondo’

Missing the momentos of Michelangelo on every corner in Florence I went to see this early sculpture by the Master which is housed in the Sackler Wing of Galleries upstairs on the second floor the Royal Academy of Arts – off  Piccadilly in London.

The Taddei Tondo marble relief  was begun , but as so often was the case – not completed , by Michelangelo Buonarroti in 1504-06.

It shows the Virgin and Child with the Infant St John the Baptist – who is offering the Baby Jesus  a goldfinch – the symbol of the Passion and Christ’s Crown of Thorns – and the Christ child is momentarily recoiling from his task.

Royal Academy of Arts is Britain’s National Academy of art. It was founded in 1768 by George III . It’s first president (1768 – 92) was Joshua Reynold s 

Initiated in 1789 the  The Royal Academy Schools form the oldest art school in Britain, and still offer the only 3-year postgraduate art course to students.