The Ideal City in the Renaissance: the works of Urbino, Baltimore and Berlin

Monday October 7th, 2024 , Artists and Works

La Città ideale di Urbino

A symbol of an idea of what a Renaissance city should be, the famous image of the ‘Ideal City’, painted by an unknown artist between 1480 and 1490, at the court of Federico da Montefeltro, is a work that boasts two alternative versions, painted by other unknown authors or perhaps by the author himself.

This work is a symbol of the ideal Renaissance city, contrasting with the chaotic city of the Middle Ages, which appears before our eyes, and in all its vitality, in the urban view frescoed by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena in 1337-1339.

THE IDEAL CITY OF THE RENAISSANCE

Bruges Castles and Palaces: a journey through time

Tuesday October 1st, 2024 , Cities of Art

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

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

Monday September 23rd, 2024 , Artists and Works

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

Visiting Padua in two days between art and museums

Tuesday September 17th, 2024 , Cities of Art

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

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

Monday September 9th, 2024 , Artists and Works

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.

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