The Gesture in the Uffizi

We went to see The Light in the Piazza last night and we really enjoyed this old-fashioned (in the best sense) broadway musical. It's closing July 2, and we were glad we managed to see it. Great roles for both the mother and the daughter and a top notch score.

In the second scene at the Uffizi Gallery, Clara is wandering around looking at the art while her mother has temporarily joined a tour. Clara stops in front of this annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci (also attributed in some sources to Ghirlandaio):

Before you know it she's trying out the gestures for herself, first Gabriel's gesture of blessing with the two fingers of the right hand raised, the others curled around; then Mary's left hand that accepts the amazing news, open palm towards the angel, while also registering her surprise and perhaps a hint of fear.

I'm always surreptitiously doing this in museums because it's fun, it helps me remember what I've seen, and it's a way to work and play at the same time. Just about every gesture text from the renaissance and baroque eras recommends looking at good art and imitating it as a way of adding to your gestural repertoire and perfecting your style. I sense a couple of summer trips to see some art in my future!