A Postcard from Venice

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Keith Parry

A sunny March day in the beautiful city of Venice.

Giotto frescoes at Cappella degli Scrovegni, Padova

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Keith Parry

In Padova, Italy, to see the amazing Giotto frescoes at Cappella degli Scrovegni. Completed by Giotto around 1305, this is one of the most important masterpieces of Western art.

The fresco cycle shows scenes from the life of Christ and the life of the Virgin and contains a frighteningly impressive ‘Last Judgement’. Surely one of the artistic wonders of the world.

Cappella degli Scrovegni, Padova

Giotto ‘The Last Judgement’ (1304 – 6)

Giotto ‘Kiss of Judas’ (1304 – 6)

Van Gogh and Gauguin in Genova

Video

In the Italian city of Genova for the really excellent ‘Van Gogh e il Viaggio di Gauguin’ exhibition at the Palazzo Ducale. It includes Gauguin’s wonderful ‘Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?’, as well as over thirty works by Van Gogh. Definitely recommended.

A unique opportunity to see the Gauguin, being exhibited in Europe for the first time.

Paul Gauguin ‘Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?’ (1897 – 98)

Hiking to Sabotino

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Keith Parry

An enjoyable day hiking in the hills along the Italian – Slovenian border, ending up at the refugio at Sabotino for some welcome Slovenian home cooking.

Exploring Slovenia

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Keith Parry

A Slovenian week – starting in Maribor in eastern Slovenia – the 2012 European Capital of Culture and home to the oldest grapevine in the world!

Then a walk around Lake Bled, which is particularly beautiful at this time of the year surrounded by autumn colours.

‘Gli Anni Folli’ in Ferrara

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Keith Parry

At the Palazzo dei Diamanti in the medieval Italian town of Ferrara for an excellent exhibition: ‘Gli Anni Folli – La Parigi di Modigliani, Picasso e Dali 1918 – 1933’.

Amedeo Modigliani ‘Nude’ (1917)

Amedeo Modigliani ‘Boy in Short Trousers’ (c.1918)

Juan Gris ‘Seated Harlequin’ (1920)

Chaïm Soutine ‘Choir Boy’ (1925)

Tamara de Lempicka ‘Irene and her Sister’ (1925)

As well as paintings, also on show were some beautiful costumes and set designs by Mikhail Larionov and Giorgio de Chirico for Ballets Russes productions and by Fernand Léger for the Ballets Suédois production of ‘La Création du Monde’ (1923).