Nature in art: from the Romantics to Segantini

Wednesday March 9th, 2022 , Events and Exhibitions, Schools & Periods

Caspar David Friedrich, Donna sulla spiaggia di Rügen, 1818, circa olio su tela, cm 21.5 x 30 Kunst Museum Winterthur, Fondazione Oskar Reinhart © SIK-ISEA, Zurigo (Philipp Hitz)

NATURE IN ART: FROM THE ROMANTICS TO SEGANTINI

The representation of nature in art has always offered artists the opportunity to describe the world and our relationship with the planet we live on.

The history of art is full of works depicting beautiful landscapes, but it is also full of stories in which Nature and its elements are personified by deities, taken from classical culture, that allow us to understand our connection with the world.
I recently visited an exhibition (details at the bottom of this post) that took me on a journey of discovery of nature in art and offered me the chance to understand how nature became so important in the 19th century.

Nature in art

The story of Monte Verità and the return to nature

Thursday February 24th, 2022 , Schools & Periods

Ritratto di gruppo con danzatrici: Fondazione Monte Verità, Fondo Harald Szeemann, Fondo Suzanne Perrotet

THE STORY OF MONTE VERITÀ AND THE RETURN TO NATURE

The story of Monte Verità began in the early 20th century. In just a few decades, it became a destination for artists and intellectuals who were seeking a spiritual and creative refuge and who found, among the woods and hills overlooking Lake Maggiore, a place to imagine and create a new world based on today’s themes such as the ecology of living and the ecology of the soul.

The history of Monte Verità is therefore a pioneering story in which some of the most important personalities of the 20th century found a direct and genuine contact with nature, reflecting on the need for man to build a lifestyle in harmony with the planet.

History of Monte Verità

Parma and the Farnese family: a history of power and beauty

Wednesday February 16th, 2022 , Cities of Art, Schools & Periods

Raffaello Sanzio | Ritratto del Cardinale Alessandro Farnese

Raffaello Sanzio, Ritratto del Cardinale Alessandro futuro Papa Paolo III, 1509-1511
olio su tavola, cm 139 x 91
Napoli, Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte
© Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte

PARMA AND THE FARNESES: A HISTORY OF POWER AND BEAUTY

The story of Parma and the Farnese is one of power and beauty.
From the marriages arranged to extend the political influence of one of the most influential families of the Italian Renaissance, to the works of art they collected and commissioned from the leading artists of the time, the Farnese were at the centre of the most important historical events from the 16th to the 18th century and transformed the territory of Parma into a political and cultural reference point.

In this post I will tell you their story.

Parma and the Farnese family
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6 Abstract Art Techniques And Tips For Every Newbie Artist

Friday November 5th, 2021 , Schools & Periods

6 ABSTRACT ART TECHNIQUES AND TIPS FOR EVERY NEWBIE ARTIST

In the 21st century, abstract paintings appear effortless and ordinary to everyone, causing people to forget how innovative they were back in the 20th. Such artworks and the artisans who created them caused a remarkable sensation in the world. Like painting representational art, abstract painting also involves expertise and knowledge of art forms, color combinations, and values.

Do you agree that the best kind of exploration is one that has no rules? If so, knowing how to paint abstract art is a terrific place to start your artistic journey. It’s also a surefire way to ensure that your work has compositional strength, visual intrigue, and that it always remains fascinating for you as a rookie artist.

However, learning how to abstract paint isn’t always simple. Aside from taking inspiration from some existing and notable abstract art prints and paintings, you’ll also need to learn some of its techniques for creating beautiful artwork. Fortunately, there are a few pointers below that can assist you in creating your own abstract painting canvas without becoming overwhelmed or too harsh on yourself.

Women in Macchaioli’s works: masterpieces and women’s role

Thursday March 4th, 2021 , Schools & Periods

Silvestro Lega, Le bambine che fanno le signore (1872) – Istituto Matteucci,Viareggio

WOMEN IN MACCHIAIOLI’S WORKS: THE MASTERPIECES TO KNOW AND WOMEN’S ROLE

The success of Macchiaioli’s works depends certainly on beauty of their paintings, but the role played by women was decisive, too.

Woman enters Macchiaioli’s paintings in a brand new way, and the success depends also on the strength of some special women.

Macchiaioli’s works and women’s role