Welcome to Henry's Travel Blog!
Although he kept detailed business papers, Missouri Botanical Garden founder Henry Shaw left little personal material for biographers to consider in analyzing his life. One of the few items which remain is a series of five journals. Following his retirement from the hardware business in 1840, Shaw traveled abroad and made notes, recollections, and even sketches in these small bound books. Join us as we chart Henry's journey to Europe and beyond.
 
Shaw's variable spellings, punctuation, and grammar, preserved throughout, are typical even for well-educated gentlemen in the 19th Century. Important note (4/14/09): The entries from March 11, 2009 through April 8, 2009, correspond to recently discovered text from Henry Shaw's journal. They will be posted online under the correct dates to preserve chronological accuracy.
 
   
   

Posted Online Wednesday, October 28, 2009

February 1, 1842: Church San Celso

Called on Signor Bonola, but found he has gone to Parma - to return in a few days. Thence took a stroll alone to a distant part of the city. Went in to the church of San Lorenzo - admirable for the architecture of its dome, the largest in Milan.

Towards porta San Lodovico, one of the eleven gates of the city, is situated the church San Celso - built in 1485 after the design of Bramante. The facade is very rich in sculpture by Lorenzo. Among the figures is Adam & Eve, our first mother I take to be a copy of the Venus de Medici, with the addition of a fig leaf and very amusing to see such a voluptuous figure in front of a church.

The interior is rich in alter pieces and frescoes by Milanese painters. The dome was painted last and is admirably done by Andrea Appiani, whom my guide book cells immortal. Mass was performing to a highly respectable and devout crowd - whose carriages and liveries were in attendance at the door of the church -