Lost in Florence's Canvas, by Lena Benbihy

Part 1: The genesis 

In a modern world, filled with hopes, history and riches, there was an architect. An architect with a yearning for a long time gone. 

This architect, coming from a small town in England, was named Lodovico, Lodovico Featherstonehaugh – pronounced Fanshaw. With any free time he had (he didn’t; he was an architect) he would spend it painting. From Leonardo Da Vinci to Caravaggio, this art is all he aspired to achieve. That is why when Lodovico got the offer of working on a project in Florence, he did not hesitate to accept… 

Part 2: The architect 

Florence, home to the masterpieces of the Renaissance is where the architect should be, and for once, he was on his way. As he got off the plane, a gush of wind flying through his hair, he finally felt a sense of belonging.  

After checking into his hotel, the architect was faced with his first choice of the trip; take the flight of stairs to the first floor or take the slow elevator. As lazy as he normally is, he chose to challenge himself, marching up the few steps facing him as if they were his first steps into his new life. Upon entering his room, he was immediately mesmerized by the view; the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, right in front of him.  

Looking at a map of the streets of Duomo, the architect devised a plan. He had approximatively 3 hours before his big meeting – with the client, engineer, and contractor – he could not be late. “Now where should I go…” uttered the architect, attempting to work his way through Google Maps. Although he was starving, he prioritized his visit to the Uffizi Gallery, a site he dreamt of visiting. After a refreshing 9-minute walk, he had arrived. Holding his skip-the-line ticket in one hand and a notepad in the other, he was ready. 

Part 3: The muse 

Looking at all these masterpieces, it felt unreal. The architect rushed to the third floor, reaching the Caravaggio section. “Woah” he loudly stated. The Medusa – the painting he has been admiring behind a screen for his whole life – was now in front of him. 

“A circular shield made from poplar wood as a base, shield covered by linen, four different layers of paint…” the architect muttered while scribbling on his notepad. As he took a step forward to get a closer look, he was startled by a voice behind him. “And an additional reflective layer... It’s beautiful, isn’t it”. A woman stood behind him. “I’m Cecilia” she said, slowly extending her arm for him to shake. He stopped himself from commenting on her name; Cecilia Gallerani was one of Da Vinci’s muses – from The Lady with an Ermine – but also the Duke of Milan, Lodovico il Moro’s, mistress. That is a funny coincidence, if only he knew how this meeting would affect his life. “Cecilia, I’m Lodovico, nice to meet you”. 

After 3 hours of contemplating different artists, their art and history, and learning more about each other, the architect finally checked his watch. “I’m going to be late to my meeting!” he loudly stated. Before rushing out of the museum, he asked for Cecilia’s number, or any way to contact her, but all she said was “Caffè Gilli at 9:23, ask for Ermine”. Although he did not know where that was, who that is and what that meant, he had no time to think, and without another word, he disappeared into the streets. 

Part 4: The meeting 

Tick Tock Tick Tock. There was Lodovico, in his hotel room, waiting for the mysterious journey that awaited him in Florence’s embrace. 

As the clock finally hit 9:00, he left his lodging and began navigating his way through the district of San Lorenzo. “Another left, and in 200 meters take a…” the GPS attempting to give the architect directions, before his phone ran out of battery. “Of course, this happens to me”. Exasperated, he chose to use his intuition. The bells hit 11:00 and Lodovico had just entered the café. Approaching the counter, he quietly muttered “Ermine” and the bartender pointed at a table in the corner. There was Cecilia, and a man. The man had a thin black beard, thick eyebrows, and black eyes. Dressed all in black, in a rather disorderly fashion, wearing a black hose that is a little bit threadbare, and has a thick head of hair, long over his forehead. “You finally came!” exclaimed Cecilia. Before introducing the architect to the man beside her, she offered him a drink. Lodovico hastily gulped down the beverage, finally ready to get answers. Before he could say anything, Cecelia began explaining. “Lodovico, you have a special gift, a connection to the past lies within you…”. Suddenly, a gust of wind enveloped them, and the environment changed. What was once a modern café, with basic canopies and dirty tables became a venerable establishment with ornate furnishings and opulent décor. The architect had no words, it was as if he had just travelled in time, a time where the echoes of history resonated through the air. 

Part 5: The time 

“Lodovico, meet Michelangelo, Michelangelo Caravaggio”. Lodovico, still trying to comprehend the sudden shift, found himself face to face with the renowned artists. The atmosphere in Caffè Gilli had transformed into a Renaissance spectacle. 

Caravaggio, with his dark eyes reflecting a hint of enigma, welcomed Lodovico to his epoch. The room echoed with animated conversations, artistic fervor, and the clinking of cups. After many hours, the architect had already met all of his heroes; Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello…But one was missing. “May I meet Da Vinci? Leonardo Da Vinci?” the architect asked, hopefully getting the response he desires. Suddenly, the room went quiet. “Leonardo only comes out to people he deems worth it. You must show your worth” answered Cecilia.  

Hours went by but Lodovico did not move from his chair. Painting and painting, wishing the grand master would appear in front of him. After an exasperated sigh, he realized he had to go home, but would not give up. “Cecilia, I am not leaving until I get to meet him!”. He rushed home, hoping to get a few hours of sleep before going back to work, but the architect did not sleep for all he could think about was his ‘worth’ and all he could dream about was the brushstroke of approval from Da Vinci. 

Day after day, Lodovico came back at 9:23 at Caffè Gilli, this time not even having to ask for Ermine. Every night he would contemplate his upcoming pieces, all the while analysing Da Vinci’s style, what would he do in his place…? 

On his final day, the architect tried again. This time painting a portrait, of Cecilia. Seeing the clock hit 12:00, he knew it was over, Da Vinci will remain his elusive muse. He would never make it; he was not good enough. Frustrated and feeling defeated, he went to an empty booth, hoping to drink away his sorrow. Suddenly, a man appeared beside him and only spoke a few words. “Time stays long enough for anyone who will use it”. As the mysterious figure vanished, the architect found solace in these words, he was now lost in Florence’s canvas.