The Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta on the road from Pienza to San Quirico d'Orcia

In 2001 I came to live in Italy. I had some fun, wrote a journal and this is the blog of my story...

"Tuscany is a state of grace. The countryside is so lovingly designed that the eye sweeps the mountains and valleys without stumbling over a single stone. The lilt of the rolling green hills, the upsurging cypresses, the terraces sculptured by generations that have handled the rocks with skillful tenderness, the fields geometrically juxtaposed as though drawn by a draughtsman for beauty as well as productivity; the battlements of castles on the hills, their tall towers standing grey-blue and golden tan among the forest of trees, the air of such clarity that every sod of earth stands out in such dazzling detail. The fields ripening with barley and oats, beans and beets. The grape-heavy vines espaliered between the horizontal branches of silver-green olive trees, composing orchards of webbed design, rich in intimation of wine, olive oil and lacy-leaf poetry. Tuscany untied the knots in a man's intestines, wiped out the ills of the world. Italy is the garden of Europe, Tuscany is the garden of Italy, Florence is the flower of Tuscany." Irving Stone from my favourite book " The Agony and the Ecstacy" A fictional biography of Michelangelo



223. Biennial at the Palazzo Corsini

Every two years they hold a very special antiques festival at the huge Palazzo Corsini on the Lungarno. The palazzo is opposite the Harold Acton Library, part of the British Institute, where I work. We were curious to have a peek inside and this seemed like the perfect opportunity...




The Palace dates from the 17th century and is in the Baroque style. It was built by the Grand Duke Ferdinando II de' Medici and sold to the Corsini family in 1649.




As well as some incredible pieces of furniture for sale there were also paintings actually for sale by famous artists such as Canaletto, Poussin, Van Dyck, Canova and Tintoretto.




The palazzo inside was incredible, with enormous ballrooms, monumental staircase and even a grotto in the basement! We also enjoy a stroll on the terrace, with some great views across the river. Unfortunately our budget doesn't quite stretch to afford a Titian painting!


Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)