They Wake at Dawn – A Reverent Tribute to the Loggia dei Lanzi

Florence is a city where history, art, and life intertwine, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Loggia dei Lanzi. This open-air gallery, home to some of the most striking sculptures in the world, tells countless stories to the thousands of visitors who pass through each day. With They Wake at Dawn, I sought to imagine these statues not as static relics but as living storytellers, awakening each morning to share their narratives anew.

Concept Development (7th of 10)

The inspiration for this piece came from an early-morning visit to the Loggia. Standing there at dawn, I felt as though I was witnessing a troupe of actors preparing to greet the early arrivals. This moment sparked the idea for They Wake at Dawn. Rather than focusing on the individual stories of Perseus, Hercules, or the calm, wise figures of the women, I chose this unifying thread: the shared act of waking to greet a new day, just as they have for centuries.

The sculptures depict a range of emotions and narratives, from triumphant victory to violent struggle. Ultimately, the concept of their daily “waking” was a perspective I felt could honor their diversity while remaining cohesive.

Composing the Piece (9th of 10)

Musically, They Wake at Dawn conveys reverence above all else. The melody flows through the emotional range of the sculptures’ stories, from quiet wisdom to dramatic triumph, while maintaining a core expression of respect and awe. The challenge was to avoid crossing the fine line between reverence and melancholy. I wanted the piece to feel reflective but not sorrowful, capturing the enduring presence and strength of these masterpieces.

Once the concept of “waking” was solidified, the composition came together effortlessly. Among all the tracks in Portraits of Florence, this one flowed onto the page the easiest.

Reflections on They Wake at Dawn

At first, the idea of attributing a “waking” to the statues might seem fanciful. But for me, it underscores their enduring impact. These sculptures have stood through centuries of change, telling their stories to thousands of visitors who stop by each day to experience them. Imagining their waking underscores the cultural persistence they represent.

Looking back, I am profoundly grateful for that quiet morning at the Loggia dei Lanzi. It gave me a lens through which to express not just the beauty of the sculptures but also the profound respect I feel for the role they play in connecting us to history. They Wake at Dawn is my tribute to their enduring spirit, a reverent acknowledgment of the art and culture that continue to inspire across the ages.