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Since returning from Italy, people have asked if I was inspired to make art as a result of the trip. You would think that the answer would be simple, but it isn't. Although I took a sketchbook, our visit was spent seeing as much as we could see in the limited time that we had. So, my answer is this: I was awed by the artwork that I was able to see. The sculptures and paintings were magnificent. However, what inspired me as an artist were the frescoes. There were frescoes to be seen all over Italy, but I was particularly thrilled with the Roman era examples. Perhaps the most inspiring fresco to me was in the National Roman Museum. In fact, I was surprised how much I enjoyed our time there. The museum is off the beaten track, air conditioned, and not mobbed with people; a trifecta that is rare in crowded Rome. The inspiring fresco that we enjoyed is the oldest example of a continuous garden painting. The work is dated from 30-32 BC. Being in the room with these wall paintings, I could imagine the sounds of birds and running water. Artistically, the textures present in the preserved work moved me beyond words. Who knows whether something so ancient will find a way visually into my present-day work? Here are some images:   
4 Comments
Linda Wolcott
6/1/2021 12:49:22 pm
That museum sounds like quite a gem. Maybe I'll be in Rome again one day and will check it out. There is something etherial about old frescos. 6/6/2021 04:11:17 pm
Yes! The museum is wonderful. The fresco room mentioned in this post was amazing. There were also extraordinary rooms that had been excavated when the subway was being built that are restored and shown in this museum. My son and I were flying out of Rome the next day, so we opted for the fast train from Florence specifically to go to this museum. We chose this rather than going to the Galileo museum in Florence. Now that I have been to both museums, I can definitely say that this one captured my interest much more.
Deet Lewis
6/5/2021 09:14:46 am
I love your work, loved seeing that gorgeous fresco and so enjoyed seeing you ...l seemingly unchanged since I saw you ... 6/6/2021 04:12:36 pm
Good to hear from you Deet. Thank you for your compliment on my artwork. We met around 9-10 years ago in my studio at the Workhouse. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Hope you are well. Leave a Reply. |
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