The third part of our trip was through Tuscany, but as there was so much to inspire me, hopefully it will continue into part 4, at a later time. From Tuscany we went on to Rome, and after a couple of days returned home. So number 4 will be the last.
Italy Inspiration no. 21. Cypress Avenue, Tuscany. Beside the road between Firenzuola and Pratolino, suddenly we felt that we had arrived in Tuscany. The gorgeous spring fields of bright green and yellow, and the defining rows of cypresses made me feel as though we had arrived at last, in this iconic jewel of Italy.
Italy Inspiration no. 22. “Il Gigante dell’Appennino”, The Colossus of the Appenines, made by Giambologna in 1580, is in the Medici Park in Pratolino, just north of Florence. I painted this many years ago and was keen to actually see it. Unfortunately the lilies/lotuses in the pond were dormant since it was early spring, but it was a thrill to see the massive statue.
Italy Inspiration no. 23. Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, that we saw on a windy, rainy day.These are bronze copies of the David and other Michelangelo allegories from the Medici Chapel of San Lorenzo. It was build in 1873.
Italy Inspiration no 24. Chickens crossing the road on our way to the farm, Il Moro, at Rignano sull’Arno, where we stayed, and caught the train in to Florence / Firenze, to avoid driving in the city.
Italy Inspiration no. 25. View of Florence / Firenze, from the Piazzale Michelangelo, with the River Arno and Ponte Vecchio.
Italy Inspiration no. 26. The marble Seahorses of the Neptune statue & fountain in the piazza della Signoria, in Florence.
Italy Inspiration no 27. Street scene, as we walked around Florence and came across the magnificent Duomo.
Il Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.
A challenging picture but well worth adding to this collection of memorable sights in Italy.
Italy Inspiration no. 28. Plein-air sketch from the lawn in front of Locanda Vessuna, a farm where we stayed near Pienza in Tuscany. I did very few sketches as there was so much to see & photograph. It was a cold and windy day, but the view was still breathtaking. The staff even brought us coffee and cookies while we sat there.
Italy Inspiration no. 29. Pienza.
We went to our lovely Tuscany accommodation just outside Pienza, and spent a couple of wonderful days traveling around that gorgeous countryside.
Italy Inspiration no. 30. The cross and cypresses, Tuscany. Sadly this is my last painting for now. I would like to do more of Tuscany and our final bit in Rome, but have to take some time off. I have a breast cancer op on Monday 28th Oct. ( Mastectomy) . I would appreciate all your prayers for healing and being able to get back to painting before too long. Thank you !
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