Bruges Castles and Palaces: a journey through time

Castello Gruuthuse Bruges

Castello di Gruuthuse

Strolling through the medieval streets, canals and historical architecture of Bruges is a unique experience.
The city in Flanders, with its UNESCO-listed historic centre, has the ability to transport you back in time and does so thanks to its heritage of art and culture bequeathed by the city’s most illustrious families.

In this post, I take you on a tour of Bruges, its castles and palaces, which represent a still little-known heritage that can be visited at leisure thanks to an efficient public transport network or the many cycling routes.

CASTLES AND PALACES OF BRUGES

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Saint George and the Princess by Pisanello: analysis of a masterpiece

Pisanello San Giorgio e la Principessa

In the heart of Verona, in the marvellous Pellegrini Chapel of the Church of St. Anastasia, there is a masterpiece that has spanned the centuries with its beauty and symbolic meaning: St. George and the Princess by Pisanello. Created between 1433 and 1438, this fresco is not only an extraordinary work of art, but also a valuable historical and cultural document.

Inspired by Jacopo da Varazze’s ‘Golden Legend’, Pisanello tells us, through meticulous detail and unparalleled technical skill, the story of the brave St. George and his clash with the dragon to save the princess. But what lies behind this epic narrative?
What political and symbolic messages did the artist want to convey? In this post, I take you on a discovery of Pisanello’s fresco, analysing the details and discovering the deeper meaning of this extraordinary work.

ST. GEORGE AND THE PRINCESS OF PISANELLO

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Visiting Padua in two days between art and museums

Padova

Have you ever thought of exploring Padua, one of the oldest and most culturally rich cities in Italy? With its prestigious university, fascinating squares, and countless art treasures, Padua offers a unique experience to those who love art and beauty.
In this post I suggest a two-day itinerary in Padua to discover some of the hidden gems and masterpieces this city has to offer.

PADUA IN TWO DAYS

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St. George and the Dragon by Paolo Uccello: Symbols and Mysteries

San Giorgio e il drago Paolo Uccello Londra

San Giorgio e il drago Paolo Uccello a Londra

In the early Renaissance, Paolo Uccello created one of the most enigmatic and fascinating works of art in the history of art: ‘Saint George and the Dragon’. This masterpiece, created in two versions, is not only the representation of a legendary clash, but a symbolic journey into the conflict between Christianity and paganism, between peace and war, between the visible world and the hidden world of alchemical symbols and occult philosophy.

Immersed in a dreamlike and mysterious atmosphere, the details of the painting reveal a profound and complex narrative, full of meanings and questions. In this post, I take you on a journey to discover the secrets behind Paolo Uccello’s brushstrokes, in a work that continues to enchant and provoke reflection.

SAINT GEORGE AND THE DRAGON BY PAOLO UCCELLO

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Patrons of the Renaissance: The Role of Italian Lords in Art

Francesco Sforza, Lorenzo de' Medici, Ludovico III Gonzaga

Francesco Sforza, Lorenzo de’ Medici, Ludovico III Gonzaga

Between the mid 15th century and the early 16th century, Italy witnessed the blossoming of a unique relationship between lords and artists that would profoundly mark the Renaissance. In this period of intense creativity and innovation, patrons were not mere patrons, but real cultural promoters who shaped cities as stages for their artistic and political ambitions. Artists resided in noble palaces, immersed in a stimulating intellectual environment, collaborating with humanists, philosophers, poets and scientists. This symbiosis gave rise to timeless masterpieces and monumental architectural works celebrating the greatness of their patrons.

In this post, I take you on a discovery of the lords of the Italian Renaissance courts.

PATRONS OF THE RENAISSANCE

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