06/25/2026
Art I saw in Milan that truly blew me away.
The rooftop of the Duomo is truly worth a visit. It is covered in intricate detail that leaves you in awe. Take your time getting lost in the marble paths and don’t forget to look up, you never know what you’ll discover. Plus if you’re a Disney kid, you can pretend the gargoyles might come to life and be your wise mentors.
I had seen works of Francesco Hayes before but never in person. And admittedly, I don’t know much about this famous painter, but seeing his works in person was spectacular. I am not typically drawn to paintings that are done with such realism, but one cannot be blown away by the artistry displayed, especially in person. This painting in particular seemed to literally glow from within. I feel lucky to have the opportunity to get lost within his world.
Another favorite Hayes work - the detail and realism was mind blowing. Her eyes looked as if they were three dimensional, as if she could walk right out of the painting itself.
Michelangelo’s last work, Rondanini Pietà, which he worked on six days before he died
The Goddess of Love Painting by Giovanni Segantini caught me off guard. The intricacy of the brushstrokes was mesmerizing. From far away it may look like painting of simple brush strokes, but up close you realize that it’s hundreds, if not, thousands of small intricate strokes that come together to form this beautiful painting.
Francesco Hayes’ most famous painting is the Pinacoteca’s jewel worth waiting for. Strategically placed at the very end of the museum, it is your reward for patiently and thoughtfully, immersing yourself in the museum’s collection of Italian masterpieces.
One of my favorite things that I did during my time in Milan was seek out art supply stores and cartolerias. You can have all the designer handbags that you want, give me the old school, art supply and handcrafted paper store stores. I bought no less than six sketchbook and realized I might have an addiction.