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| "Florentine Square," oil, 12"h x 16"w, copyright Jill Banks 2014 |
Today was such a Florentine day. It could not possibly have been more perfect. Okay, perhaps with some more time spent in the Uffizi.
While a trip down the Vasari Corridor, through the passage above the Ponte Vecchio attaching the Uffizi (once the offices of the Medici family) to the Pitti Palace across the Arno -- was supposed to begin first thing this morning -- instead we had to enjoy some time (short) pre-tour in the museum. That meant a short tour of Anders Zorn etchings, Da Vincis, Michelangelos and Botticellis.
Then it was onto the Vasari Corridor -- probably my favorite art viewing experience of all time. Lining the hallway crossing the Arno from the Uffizi to the Pitti Palace (above the Ponte Vecchio) are self portraits by artists from the Renaissance to the almost present, starting with Vasari and passing through all sorts of favorite folks.
Top favorite went to a self portrait by Therese Schwartze, a Dutch artist (1851-1918) who looks out at us, shielding her eyes with her hand from the light, holding a monster-sized palette and a fistful of brushes. The woman could paint. And, I’ve never heard of her before. Hmmm. At the age of 36, she was summoned to submit work for the Uffizi.
There is something tremendously powerful about seeing these works – 127 self portraits by Italian and foreign artists, well known and unknown, on display. You see them --- the way they intended, painted in the style and psyche lone to that particular artist.
One artist, Nicola Van Houbroken (1663-1723) painted a wreath of beautiful flowers that fit the dimensions of the canvas. In the center, he appeared to break through the canvas to join the rest of the portrait subjects.
“Afternoon in Fiesole” by Baccio Maria Bacci intrigued me. It was full of the interesting relationships and stories I love to paint. You could stare at that painting forever and it would remain always fresh.
There were more to look up, new faces to get to know. If I had an Internet to rely upon – you’d have links to follow, photos to look at. Hopefully, I’ll be able to flesh it out when I get home. Enjoy doing your own homework in the meantime.
"Florentine Square" was painted that afternoon. After lunch instead of going straight to the Boboli Gardens, Randy and I returned to our hotel via the bus. It deposited us in this square that provided the perfect place to paint. Plenty of room to set up my easel with grand views across the Arno, bathed in Florentine light. I was right outside the St. Regis hotel, wearing my now not-too-pristine but only days’ old artist’s smock from Zecchi’s. Great day!
Ciao for now! It's off to see some Pietro Annigonis.
Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel (This link takes you to the subscription page.)
March 5 - December: Richeson75 Still Life and Floral 2014 Two of my paintings: "Honey Bunny" and "Garden Girl" were chosen as finalists in this online competition and exhibition. 75 total works were selected for this exhibition from entries/artists worldwide. See the exhibit at http://richeson75.com/stilllife/index.html
April 5 - April 27: Fine Art Professionals of Northern Virginia at Delaplaine, Frederick, MD Reception on Saturday, April 5, 3 to 5pm at the Delaplaine Art Center, 40 Carroll Street, Frederick, MD. On exhibit: "Main Street USA," "Tony" and "Ice Cold Lemonade."
May 3 & 4: Fairfax Fine Art Festival I'll be under a tent in Fairfax Corners ... surrounded by artwork. Come visit/shop for original art. More details to come on my web site's Events page.
May 27-May 31: Mountain Maryland Plein Air I join 29 other artists juried from around the country to capture Cumberland MD and surrounding areas in this plein air competition and exhibition. Second time around.
May 31 & June 1: Fairfax Great Falls Studios Spring Outdoor Art Festival Two days with my work under a tent in the Great Falls Village Centre, corner of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. Husband Randy will hold down “the Fort” on Saturday while I finish up at Mountain Maryland and then I hope to see you on Sunday, June !!
Paint with Me in Italy: August 3 to 10, 2014. For more info, itinerary and links to register, see the classes page on my web site. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!
(Written two days ago -- but postponed by Internet troubles. It is almost impossible to post but I'll keep trying.)
Today was such a Florentine day. It could not possibly have been more perfect. Okay, perhaps with some more time spent in the Uffizi.
While a trip down the Vasari Corridor, through the passage above the Ponte Vecchio attaching the Uffizi (once the offices of the Medici family) to the Pitti Palace across the Arno -- was supposed to begin first thing this morning -- instead we had to enjoy some time (short) pre-tour in the museum. That meant a short tour of Anders Zorn etchings, Da Vincis, Michelangelos and Botticellis.
Then it was onto the Vasari Corridor -- probably my favorite art viewing experience of all time. Lining the hallway crossing the Arno from the Uffizi to the Pitti Palace (above the Ponte Vecchio) are self portraits by artists from the Renaissance to the almost present, starting with Vasari and passing through all sorts of favorite folks.
I'll write more ... and post/edit when I can. "Florentine Square" was painted that afternoon. I may return to it today for finishing touches.
Ciao for now! It's off to see some Pietro Aningonis.
Phone: 703.403.7435
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Web: www.JillBanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: News from the Easel (This link takes you to the subscription page.)
March 5 - December: Richeson75 Still Life and Floral 2014 Two of my paintings: "Honey Bunny" and "Garden Girl" were chosen as finalists in this online competition and exhibition. 75 total works were selected for this exhibition from entries/artists worldwide. See the exhibit at http://richeson75.com/stilllife/index.html
March 28 - April 18: Women Painters of the Southeast Third Annual Juried Members Exhibition "Ballerinas I" was juried into this beautiful exhibit at Magnolia Gallery in Greensboro, GA. See my web site's Events page for more info.
April 5 - April 27: Fine Art Professionals of Northern Virginia at Delaplaine, Frederick, MD Reception on Saturday, April 5, 3 to 5pm at the Delaplaine Art Center, 40 Carroll Street, Frederick, MD. On exhibit: "Main Street USA," "Tony" and "Ice Cold Lemonade."
May 3 & 4: Fairfax Fine Art Festival I'll be under a tent in Fairfax Corners ... surrounded by artwork. Come visit/shop for original art. More details to come on my web site's Events page.
Paint with Me in Italy: August 3 to 10, 2014. For more info, itinerary and links to register, see the classes page on my web site. Great folks are signing up to join me on this wonderful adventure. I hope you can, too!
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