tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75653917374228969142024-03-12T17:59:39.218-07:00The Ornamentalistnews, design projects, and musings, from San Francisco mural artist Lynne RutterLynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-59489851615436243192019-04-08T11:56:00.001-07:002019-04-08T12:11:26.823-07:00Heraldry: l'Archiginnasio di Bologna<span style="color: #666666;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">In which we see the decoration as a message from history.</span></i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUkrhH5L0MVUX9-c-r75snh1ixT53i-0ksQ8XM9U-shwSRJNTCPmnWVhtNX99rlD7YkYVMu05pCJ-t-qVDlEJtW3sLbKvdyaCfFKlE0S3lElcx7Y9Q57e8WaW8Mbm4aIZtOvn7Em8_lQ/s1600/sstaircace3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUkrhH5L0MVUX9-c-r75snh1ixT53i-0ksQ8XM9U-shwSRJNTCPmnWVhtNX99rlD7YkYVMu05pCJ-t-qVDlEJtW3sLbKvdyaCfFKlE0S3lElcx7Y9Q57e8WaW8Mbm4aIZtOvn7Em8_lQ/s640/sstaircace3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heraldry illuminates a stairway of the Archiginnasio, Bologna</td></tr>
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The spectacular Palazzo Archiginnasio was built in 1563, to a design by architect Antonio Morandi, as the main campus of the venerable University of Bologna. It houses a world-famous Baroque <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatomical_theatre_of_the_Archiginnasio" target="_blank">anatomy theater</a> and since the 1830s has been used as the civic library, preserving a vast collection of antique and modern manuscripts and rare books. I finally got a chance to visit this winter!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FRUIDj7Drt9GinZ0aUsD3wGtOncQAXPxx2YI2CU0eCRToXSiJ9nsqGOLayIeurbyZKHVvbM-yUpB8sIpzRTjTGYZPielEsCia9MuIukPnZMkyDqCYev2ndUlpJDIKUluK9Nb10IMy3w/s1600/01-Bologna-Archiginnasio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1151" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FRUIDj7Drt9GinZ0aUsD3wGtOncQAXPxx2YI2CU0eCRToXSiJ9nsqGOLayIeurbyZKHVvbM-yUpB8sIpzRTjTGYZPielEsCia9MuIukPnZMkyDqCYev2ndUlpJDIKUluK9Nb10IMy3w/s640/01-Bologna-Archiginnasio.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">* Central courtyard and loggia of the Archiginnasio<i> (<a href="https://www.guidobarbi.it/il-palazzo-dellarchiginnasio-a-bologna/" target="_blank">photo</a>)</i></td></tr>
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What makes this impressive place a destination for the Ornamentalist is the heraldic decoration! Presented in every conceivable manner, the walls and ceiling vaults are encrusted with heraldic arms, which were added continuously until the late 18th century. Some 6,000 coats of arms commemorate past students, alongside memorials to illustrious teachers, noble patrons, and church affiliations. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsnHsUmslZ_CJPId6H3CHStVzV7QJS6M2YT8hiVEfr0y955lDlFeIq2vZeWDYLKAa4bTJ4u4W33WX24IqzFDqTsKQHan_iTBfw6qbMjXp-QIMNGUTsYxiqphYmXWU_j2pHPB_nmFB8kE/s1600/shallway4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsnHsUmslZ_CJPId6H3CHStVzV7QJS6M2YT8hiVEfr0y955lDlFeIq2vZeWDYLKAa4bTJ4u4W33WX24IqzFDqTsKQHan_iTBfw6qbMjXp-QIMNGUTsYxiqphYmXWU_j2pHPB_nmFB8kE/s640/shallway4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">enclosed gallery of the Archiginnasio with the coats of arms of past students</td></tr>
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These heraldic devices are more than a brilliant form of decoration, they emphasize the history and international prestige of the academic
institution, while their inscriptions and mottos inspire <i>intellectual and moral elevation</i>. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXT9nlPJ2nqNw70tKO03PzT0yFjW3zqh8DCHI83hRm14P3usjVkzfpPXccQ59HGA_g1_-W1YjkL-uWXUUwNPlfT4m7TsLYSKPnGzoN2mXht278cQxkx7hk57dbeHxFSd0B2ACpKEe5tY/s1600/sstairwayB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="902" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXT9nlPJ2nqNw70tKO03PzT0yFjW3zqh8DCHI83hRm14P3usjVkzfpPXccQ59HGA_g1_-W1YjkL-uWXUUwNPlfT4m7TsLYSKPnGzoN2mXht278cQxkx7hk57dbeHxFSd0B2ACpKEe5tY/s640/sstairwayB1.jpg" width="412" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stairway of the Artisti, Palazzo Archiginnasio</td></tr>
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Two grand staircases lead to the lecture halls of the upper level, which was divided between two schools: one for the <i>Legisti </i>(students of civil and canon law) and the other for the <i>Artisti</i> (students of philosophy, literature and medicine.) A dizzying collection of arms covers the walls and ceilings.<br />
The honor of displaying a crest was reserved for those students elected as heads of the <i>nationes</i> (student organizations.) These <span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">escutcheons or</span></span> coats of arms indicate the home country or city of the student, along with the student's name. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPaGBAexW4Htc-i9cPoyJUmsvEmn3yj7SLZB2sAmpVeQlS3dsIeob-KtKVAnNOecfogeaMg_j8bNTosF5kl9XNKYjIn9rmL8KgWo_ID5NAyfhAV6We8qeAM4Y-hg5uqO4Qc_H2PhpYC0/s1600/sstairwaylion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="975" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPaGBAexW4Htc-i9cPoyJUmsvEmn3yj7SLZB2sAmpVeQlS3dsIeob-KtKVAnNOecfogeaMg_j8bNTosF5kl9XNKYjIn9rmL8KgWo_ID5NAyfhAV6We8qeAM4Y-hg5uqO4Qc_H2PhpYC0/s640/sstairwaylion.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up the stairway of the Legisti, and the Lion of Venice</td></tr>
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The antique lecture halls were converted in the early 19th century with rows of bookcases, and now preserve the most important books of the library. The initial collection came from the closure of the religious orders made by Napoleon. Currently this archive contains over 850,000 volumes and pamphlets including 2,000<i> incunabula </i>(pre-1501 printed editions); 15,000 editions from the 16th century; 8,500 manuscripts; letters
and collections of autographs; as well as prints, drawings, maps, and other materials of immense historical
importance. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK03PvHOIRluu14DX3pkFSTRpKtmCW0jkSD_kVgOPQzIZIv5sCkKxtkiFSR4aEZfMGRVI4ehccymCMGMolZrKpwiIe90R7RZ-2Zc7tMDXMBg6H2JlM77LhUGwABfwaJgMyXYDVi_x3iNU/s1600/srusconix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1200" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK03PvHOIRluu14DX3pkFSTRpKtmCW0jkSD_kVgOPQzIZIv5sCkKxtkiFSR4aEZfMGRVI4ehccymCMGMolZrKpwiIe90R7RZ-2Zc7tMDXMBg6H2JlM77LhUGwABfwaJgMyXYDVi_x3iNU/s640/srusconix.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sala Rusconi, a former lecture hall, begins an enfilade of library stacks full of rare and important texts. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvANqAGKE3C1dVVnnhkZsFRFiQv2LdASzsrnQy3IhaPpzKf7qpm_yIHH1poC9d8aT0Truh_vFvW7HiQ_Pm-OVz7-9siJ0wa1ISYtsxjj8rd3uh7h0HyfFejuaaJEVMkdZmKokEEOzPKs/s1600/swallplaques2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1200" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvANqAGKE3C1dVVnnhkZsFRFiQv2LdASzsrnQy3IhaPpzKf7qpm_yIHH1poC9d8aT0Truh_vFvW7HiQ_Pm-OVz7-9siJ0wa1ISYtsxjj8rd3uh7h0HyfFejuaaJEVMkdZmKokEEOzPKs/s640/swallplaques2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">plaster plaques with more coats of arms hang like fringe around a memorial</td></tr>
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Parts of the palace, including the anatomy theatre, were destroyed by a bomb in WWII, but have since been faithfully reconstructed. Evidence of the damage can still be seen where painted decoration is missing, or in the in scorch marks of surviving frescoes. In some places the names or even the emblems have vanished, but the connection to history remains. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEfIPsA_1QFvXspSDOWbE_NNHKBBZHG-oqHo1iaoBkFgtZa3CPtzuC2jXIyCiWGxGuleGkVQC0zCRVcY-RMOvF4F3lCWIs_KE-wYGp93TN58RuhpgcVaCAxKd6-WXGHNgqzNK1GTzeuU/s1600/sdetails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="715" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEfIPsA_1QFvXspSDOWbE_NNHKBBZHG-oqHo1iaoBkFgtZa3CPtzuC2jXIyCiWGxGuleGkVQC0zCRVcY-RMOvF4F3lCWIs_KE-wYGp93TN58RuhpgcVaCAxKd6-WXGHNgqzNK1GTzeuU/s640/sdetails.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crests and mottos of even the unknown past students, emanate a message of history and continuation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVfkrENj5QrFkCvz10lBkLKFWPW-7oxtbeOAGE3KKchubWJ4c_dtHZ0ip-8vuiaizthnHSKdMFu_95szglLAFst6a21J0PS_yfp8koplUWx4YGjKXDA9nBlWYKda2-Hb-asaiPlkeaVQ/s1600/shall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="818" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVfkrENj5QrFkCvz10lBkLKFWPW-7oxtbeOAGE3KKchubWJ4c_dtHZ0ip-8vuiaizthnHSKdMFu_95szglLAFst6a21J0PS_yfp8koplUWx4YGjKXDA9nBlWYKda2-Hb-asaiPlkeaVQ/s640/shall1.jpg" width="436" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a dramatic passageway leading to the lecture halls</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXhbIJDXEjBwQUrv4QDIhKK1EEFdUZ1HfZzxVp0igMRbeD-_6QL-EtU6ZxUE6A49VmxBnpLqcWK_aP3GhdDf6TRYSlesc6SKYE0vi6eyuW-QlFeEqw-n7NwBmI9plEbc7xibZ3MkOCew/s1600/sroyalvault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXhbIJDXEjBwQUrv4QDIhKK1EEFdUZ1HfZzxVp0igMRbeD-_6QL-EtU6ZxUE6A49VmxBnpLqcWK_aP3GhdDf6TRYSlesc6SKYE0vi6eyuW-QlFeEqw-n7NwBmI9plEbc7xibZ3MkOCew/s400/sroyalvault.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>all photos in the post by Lynne Rutter</i><br />
<i>except * by Guido Barbi.</i><br />
<i>click on images to view larger.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.archiginnasio.it/visit.htm" target="_blank">Archiginnasio</a> virtual visit!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio </a></i></span></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com3Bologna, Metropolitan City of Bologna, Italy44.494887 11.34261620000006644.3136765 11.019892700000065 44.6760975 11.665339700000066tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-76036011263767797912018-12-31T00:18:00.003-08:002021-03-29T21:21:57.939-07:00Exterior Color: The Fulton Street Sisters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">In which we learn that the whole is greater than the sum of its details.</span></span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xx3yj6PeSCs8IfKLYSppWrPAN9WXHBe8j5c7IdzKVoovFHGmzC4L2pn7FfZ1AClQi_Nyc2NBMn6JEFe-kfwEr8mHJaEY68dOMXILYmM447m8gIuC1o3DhepteSGcOB-TDKwq4BQRto0/s1600/sFultonAfter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1198" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xx3yj6PeSCs8IfKLYSppWrPAN9WXHBe8j5c7IdzKVoovFHGmzC4L2pn7FfZ1AClQi_Nyc2NBMn6JEFe-kfwEr8mHJaEY68dOMXILYmM447m8gIuC1o3DhepteSGcOB-TDKwq4BQRto0/s640/sFultonAfter.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cranston and Keenan-designed Queen Anne Victorian circa 1890 recently restored, with color design by Lynne Rutter</i></td></tr>
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My work as a colorist is often more involved than simply choosing paint colors for a "Painted Lady." </div>
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Working with the historic homes of San Francisco has given me a deep understanding of the regional architecture, and it is so rewarding when I can collaborate with people who appreciate and work to preserve that architecture. The owners of neighboring Cranston and Keenan-designed "Queen Anne" style homes on Fulton Street wanted their sister houses to look good next to each other, and to set a precedent for the rest of the street. They knew things were missing and that they needed more than just a paint job. Both owners enlisted <b><a href="http://sflocalcolor.com/" target="_blank">San Francisco Local Color Painting</a></b>, and asked that their façades be restored in tandem.</div>
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Here is a "before" picture from 2016:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxlnON25IcnQE1ZYc_6xDkh_BaIAGy2Gcwvac3-YWRt6o847sBIVKcc8AiJ1EKzmIWh5o08pkEM7yhr4_BcEfg4TOCCMP1VTyTaHnpubFqryeSTaWdejDKJXRJVWKXL1Ik0VLF4BTKKk/s1600/sistersbefore.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxlnON25IcnQE1ZYc_6xDkh_BaIAGy2Gcwvac3-YWRt6o847sBIVKcc8AiJ1EKzmIWh5o08pkEM7yhr4_BcEfg4TOCCMP1VTyTaHnpubFqryeSTaWdejDKJXRJVWKXL1Ik0VLF4BTKKk/s640/sistersbefore.jpeg" width="620" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: aging sisters on Fulton Street, hanging onto their dignity</td></tr>
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As you can see, these sisters share the great bones they were born with. Like many grand old homes in our fair city, this pair of Queen Anne mansions endured many decades of slow neglect. Changes in the neighborhood, deferred maintenance, hidden damage, and past expedient repairs over time, can add up to a very shaggy appearance and what looks like a really daunting project. Praise is due to the dedicated owners who coordinated their efforts and committed considerable resources and energy to rejuvenating these beauties.</div>
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Now, here is our glorious "after" photo of 1374 and 1368 Fulton Street.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7RFvvEAEgxo5OxskjhWP3ZqTXEO0OsJe6GaGIcaX1-Ze_mltJxhavYT89e_icvsMBMYrzUsxXCJuN9uy_FPI7RVv48J-Ks5AGoj_PXcc9j_QToKYYah5wGGwtPOb7KREzR1xAaXJnrk/s1600/Ssisters.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="1600" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7RFvvEAEgxo5OxskjhWP3ZqTXEO0OsJe6GaGIcaX1-Ze_mltJxhavYT89e_icvsMBMYrzUsxXCJuN9uy_FPI7RVv48J-Ks5AGoj_PXcc9j_QToKYYah5wGGwtPOb7KREzR1xAaXJnrk/s640/Ssisters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister houses: "Queen Anne" style Victorians with their newly restored and painted façades. <i> color design: Lynne Rutter</i></td></tr>
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For those of you who'd like to know a bit more about how this renaissance was accomplished, read on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzpLuPqGlI7pJ2suoJC3ydoECV4R2P6fA9eAHw6OwRieOELNstwtFGgn3k8BqBzTAdLoVT29POnbR2TvFbz4zoAMOxFkVc7MEQQS0rIWIb4nIYr6g-re32xRV0r25-dNUZDZ905Ztfjg/s1600/s1368b4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzpLuPqGlI7pJ2suoJC3ydoECV4R2P6fA9eAHw6OwRieOELNstwtFGgn3k8BqBzTAdLoVT29POnbR2TvFbz4zoAMOxFkVc7MEQQS0rIWIb4nIYr6g-re32xRV0r25-dNUZDZ905Ztfjg/s640/s1368b4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1368 Fulton "before." I stopped here at the base of the stairs and wondered, what's going on with the mismatched crown at the roofline? <i>Also, please, don't ever paint your steps with battleship gray porch paint ~this is </i><i><i>not your garage floor, it's </i>your entrance. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><b>Analysis and Research</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I met with the owners of both homes to discuss what they'd like to see. Naturally, each house would have colors according to the taste of its respective owner, but as neighbors they wanted the colors of both homes to be compatible, and to be somewhat consistent as to the use of ornament and color placement. As the houses face south, we needed to use colors that work well in full sun and won't fade easily. But before I could finalize where those colors would be used, both façades needed some resolution about missing ornament and other carpentry matters.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXmZyfuPByJ1e9SKHvyDJbDkrSesMOpJhP_ohUMARIXb8kmpCWy3SNN4RZtUo3-OLOhI9lIEEml52g9erOnPd5gxtRebC93o07mNDe40qaymCQHBYYLPbPZQgcEHqEG324UmaFfkQ6ik/s1600/sdetailareas.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="839" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXmZyfuPByJ1e9SKHvyDJbDkrSesMOpJhP_ohUMARIXb8kmpCWy3SNN4RZtUo3-OLOhI9lIEEml52g9erOnPd5gxtRebC93o07mNDe40qaymCQHBYYLPbPZQgcEHqEG324UmaFfkQ6ik/s400/sdetailareas.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1374: some areas we needed to resolve prior to painting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A Queen Anne style house, especially one built by Cranston and Keenan, tends to have a lot of ornament on its façade. Unlike many other period styles of architecture, these designs don't follow any classical rules about proportions or column height or window size. It can be extremely difficult to figure out where to put colors to complement this style of home. There is no clear "body" or "trim" as their façades are mostly mouldings and ornament. It's like the builder pulled up with a cart full of surface ornaments and threw them on the house. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All the same, there is a <b>style</b>, and details that really work, and when they are missing or replaced with undersized elements, it's terribly obvious and can result in a lopsided or unstable appearance. So I worked up a list of problem areas I felt needed to be addressed.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For example, due to a code change requiring railings to be higher, each house had had its original balcony replaced with taller, fairly indifferent-looking railings. At 1374 the rounded balcony (7) had been straightened and its bowed "clamshell" (8), no longer protected properly, began to rot. Missing ornament in the frieze (6) had been covered over with shingles, which resulted in a shaggy, heavy-looking area over the arch.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We looked at other houses in the area by the same builders which have similar details, to find solutions. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even better, one of our homeowners located an archive photo that would answer many of our questions!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9fghhPBGd35-0x344_TXPemy0IAkNpJEtEt2Bmp-6-j8tusdoiOD0XpEzzijF-RX2A7RPg8QhxFr055TAgoI9osFLoUmjsiXfE6Uis2pgv6oEXirXcVjNaGMhz_xKne_cBfmYG-lj_k/s1600/s1374Fultonarchive.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9fghhPBGd35-0x344_TXPemy0IAkNpJEtEt2Bmp-6-j8tusdoiOD0XpEzzijF-RX2A7RPg8QhxFr055TAgoI9osFLoUmjsiXfE6Uis2pgv6oEXirXcVjNaGMhz_xKne_cBfmYG-lj_k/s640/s1374Fultonarchive.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1374 Fulton Street, circa 1910</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This amazing photo from 1910 showed us the original ornament plan of BOTH houses. I was then able to place colors for them using this photo as a guide.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
To solve the issue of the modern requirements for balcony railing height, I recommended continuing the horizontal band from under the window clear across, and then adding better proportioned balusters above that. And then of course, finials or vases on top of that. And then of course some little balls atop those, so we can gild them!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><b>Rallying Resources</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is my distinct honor to belong to a group called <b> <a href="http://artisticlicense.org/" target="_blank">Artistic License - A Guild of Artisans</a>.</b> It is through this guild that I met <b>Bruce Nelson</b>, owner of SF Local Color Painting, and many other skilled carpenters, architects, painters, and designers. Like me, most of the members of this guild could not look at that "before" photo without making a mental inventory of everything that was wrong or missing from these façades. So Bruce recommended several members of the guild to our homeowners, to help set things right. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Chris Yerke of <b>Restoration Workshop</b> mastered the restoration of the façade at 1368. Missing mouldings were custom milled and replaced, and copious amounts of ornament cast by <b>Lorna Kollmeyer Ornamental Plaster</b> were added where appropriate. Chris re-designed the balcony with a parapet and turned balusters, in a very pleasing proportion that seamlessly integrates with the original design. Urns were placed on top of the balcony railing of course. With little balls on top.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXDWcVBPEHFHzDGveJzkUSPuAy5tceixFyhFa4NH6OSm-UPkw5_erTgJnGX4KqaQGzPsbSrMuTXYPjaJjmWWyCA14qWmGAjMtQsUetHUedbDsUlw_akmKL9hMZXPnJ7XjF_qJm0BQiRg/s1600/s1368After.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXDWcVBPEHFHzDGveJzkUSPuAy5tceixFyhFa4NH6OSm-UPkw5_erTgJnGX4KqaQGzPsbSrMuTXYPjaJjmWWyCA14qWmGAjMtQsUetHUedbDsUlw_akmKL9hMZXPnJ7XjF_qJm0BQiRg/s640/s1368After.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1368 Fulton after painting. Color design by Lynne Rutter </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Local Color's team restored the old wood surfaces and painted the subtle scheme of six colors with 23.5 karat gilt details. As the house is so high from the street and faces south, some ornament was dry-brushed with an accent color, to bring up more of the detail in the full sun.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This color wasn't a big departure from the previous scheme, which the owners liked. But to note is the relatively minimal contrast between colors, and this was done to give the façade a more unified and and elegant look. </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXy_I0tmypNm0B4zljDIq7M_JWItDKcJjsv07LaWs-ZcwyqUjJSwA_lUUKs3G0_8X-jms21OymD-bbujNgD3bB-XChKNbqUz2EDfW5fhcXJyVCv7oTazLM6TtwJsD6sPB_GBV1WY8Fsg/s1600/srosettes.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXy_I0tmypNm0B4zljDIq7M_JWItDKcJjsv07LaWs-ZcwyqUjJSwA_lUUKs3G0_8X-jms21OymD-bbujNgD3bB-XChKNbqUz2EDfW5fhcXJyVCv7oTazLM6TtwJsD6sPB_GBV1WY8Fsg/s400/srosettes.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layers of wood and cast rosettes were used to recreate the ornamentation of the upper pediment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><b>Meanwhile, next door...</b></span>
at 1374, new wooden window sashes were built with stained glass panels,
recreating the originals in the antique photo. Skeeter Jones of <b>Clearheart Fine Design and Building</b>
lead the revival of this façade including restoring the curved
balcony with custom turned balusters and finials, replacing rotted wood
and missing ornament, again with castings from <b>Lorna Kollmeyer</b>. Dozens of elements were painstakingly assembled to create the richly textured surface of the original façade.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2w71khslOnlGepVD-1yp0Fm18584qB-ovXAeU6_uTyh73Ryyag7aHgYtLf3HVtAb7lC0x_fN-OOCOJPzZVX-75KoHC_iJ9oX2T_vD5UoG0rupH_jYs_l5J7ihqSdZGNYbtlrGNj5qBnw/s1600/sMikeafter.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="716" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2w71khslOnlGepVD-1yp0Fm18584qB-ovXAeU6_uTyh73Ryyag7aHgYtLf3HVtAb7lC0x_fN-OOCOJPzZVX-75KoHC_iJ9oX2T_vD5UoG0rupH_jYs_l5J7ihqSdZGNYbtlrGNj5qBnw/s640/sMikeafter.jpg" width="381" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1374 Fulton Street restored 2018. <i>color design by Lynne Rutter</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><b>Finishing touches</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Years of old paint were removed, epoxy repairs and minute details carefully prepared by Local Color painters prior to
painting this six-color scheme. Some ornament was enhanced with a glaze,
by painting a thin layer of color over the surface, then wiping back the
raised parts to create more depth. Finally, special details and buttons
were gilt with 23.5 karat gold leaf, which adds a warm accent color as
well as shimmery finesse.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJe5o2jO22o1O9SGb9JAsmkbcY97SKlvdGKnuJdaHKehuanA0hDP5rlp8jF7zZeNMK-kmhWIQXcIRG6KtSzsTyRlCsZVidyzb7b33WRcaBTMr27FSJHbqS_9hemI64N2P4NTIKoJs2n8/s1600/Ssisters.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="1600" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJe5o2jO22o1O9SGb9JAsmkbcY97SKlvdGKnuJdaHKehuanA0hDP5rlp8jF7zZeNMK-kmhWIQXcIRG6KtSzsTyRlCsZVidyzb7b33WRcaBTMr27FSJHbqS_9hemI64N2P4NTIKoJs2n8/s640/Ssisters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1374 and 1368 Fulton Street newly restored and painted. <i>color design: Lynne Rutter</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In addition to expressing my admiration to my colleagues for their fine work, I want to express once again my deep appreciation to the owners of these important homes, for their stewardship, and for their commitment to the beauty of our city's shared history. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Resources:</b><br />
Period Revival Artisans of the San Francisco Bay Area <br />
<a href="http://artisticlicense.org/" target="_blank">Artistic License,-A Guild of Artisans</a><br />
<br />
Find an archive image or learn more about your Victorian house:<br />
San Francisco Public Library <a href="http://sflib1.sfpl.org:82/" target="_blank">Historical Photo Collection</a><br />
SF Heritage<a href="https://www.sfheritage.org/resources-links/researchguide/" target="_blank"> Historical Research Guide</a><br />
<a href="http://opensfhistory.org/Display/wnp27.2857.jpg" target="_blank">Open SF History</a> historical images and maps<br />
<a href="https://thebolditalic.com/a-guide-to-san-francisco-architecture-the-bold-italic-san-francisco-db8111600c7c" target="_blank">Guide to San Francisco Architecture</a> at the Bold Italic<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13;"><i> <a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio </a></i></span></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-79286538179242630672018-08-10T00:04:00.001-07:002020-09-23T18:41:23.983-07:00Exterior Color: The Nightingale House<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7F5TsBqtGkkGMGvTuuH_vgY990m47OraZ6foQ48rCTlppq0am3MEV7DGXbGi4q8jZpmIXlySWVMgmIn2N0gb0keVMC1WoYWWguY4_NrMiQlPjmt0pkxYXIv7fLXcF3u3AWfSsnkKt-0/s1600/nightingaletop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1188" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7F5TsBqtGkkGMGvTuuH_vgY990m47OraZ6foQ48rCTlppq0am3MEV7DGXbGi4q8jZpmIXlySWVMgmIn2N0gb0keVMC1WoYWWguY4_NrMiQlPjmt0pkxYXIv7fLXcF3u3AWfSsnkKt-0/s640/nightingaletop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upper bay and tower of the 1882 Nightingale House, San Francisco Landmark #47</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The Nightingale House</b>, San Francisco Landmark #47, is named for John Nightingale, who built the house in 1882, as a wedding gift for his
daughter Florence. I have long adored this house, ever since I moved to the
city. I love the scale of it, the eclectic Victorian Gothic-a-rama style
of it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJLiiv7-_FAartGS0mwQqGfKcVONAYBFt3FX6jHgU4CCABWBM2ZTyNVel0_k7MZoMWHVO5G1IGStKiwAykokyLcP86G3BnOA_InliIxSesfhTbxomW6Z6voWh_nxsyjPBpPDNtc2GRnQ/s1600/201+Buchanan-1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="510" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJLiiv7-_FAartGS0mwQqGfKcVONAYBFt3FX6jHgU4CCABWBM2ZTyNVel0_k7MZoMWHVO5G1IGStKiwAykokyLcP86G3BnOA_InliIxSesfhTbxomW6Z6voWh_nxsyjPBpPDNtc2GRnQ/s400/201+Buchanan-1.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nightingale House in 2008</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The house had seemingly always been white: layers of
post-WWII Navy surplus paint and then some, gave it a sunny cottage-like appearance. Its longtime owner, Jo
Hansen, a San Francisco artist and activist, cared for it with
everything she had for over 40 years. As a young artist living nearby I
met Jo a number of times. It’s still hard to imagine this city without
her. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since 2010, the new owners and current custodians of the Nightingale House have been carefully
restoring it. But by “carefully” I don’t mean living in a museum. They
have researched its history, repaired its injured areas, and made it
their own. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have been thrilled to participate in what has truly been a collaboration between me, the owners, and the house itself. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcFI_YLD4uOZfBD7IujnqWG7ADLrpxXCuyAqOF4Uy7LXS39PN8ldJ0wWWlsO-OmnNZbE3ZjKJPOjDuAYIOVJmFvZKucM2Hl0H7bVX8Urwh80Rqr2P8kf6d226C75VWz80Mc8u6_9r6II/s1600/towerside.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="877" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcFI_YLD4uOZfBD7IujnqWG7ADLrpxXCuyAqOF4Uy7LXS39PN8ldJ0wWWlsO-OmnNZbE3ZjKJPOjDuAYIOVJmFvZKucM2Hl0H7bVX8Urwh80Rqr2P8kf6d226C75VWz80Mc8u6_9r6II/s640/towerside.jpg" width="466" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entry and tower after restoration and painting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We started talking about color before
the heavier aspects of the restoration work had even started.
Envisioning the color was not just the light at the end of the tunnel,
but a step towards solidifying the intent and goals. I asked what they
were looking to say with their color scheme; one said “historic,
important” the other said “gothic, unusual … ” Elvira <i>may </i>have
been mentioned.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well then, said I, let’s see if we can do both!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMov_ZXck-KVvGKkbNOiHkaCXNctZk9TcHa6HQomylLVrtbfaTP7xKLeeVpP7X1817dorZTYhziy4V_iN13fVpwsVTpD6CKacRqjFjS2yxlxYqK-fp0oKKC9UpJyp9vSobwut4kc4Ykds/s1600/porch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1200" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMov_ZXck-KVvGKkbNOiHkaCXNctZk9TcHa6HQomylLVrtbfaTP7xKLeeVpP7X1817dorZTYhziy4V_iN13fVpwsVTpD6CKacRqjFjS2yxlxYqK-fp0oKKC9UpJyp9vSobwut4kc4Ykds/s640/porch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rare in San Francisco, a covered entry porch, with outer pocket doors, which we painted with a faux bois finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyyqX6T6sOOMZ0FK7EXwLNMBYHt5MtNi8OEhkA0Kp7ktg-HgcVVVekuqvkKlyLYnmYUy8QmaqGc4ciq9lzj7Lq4zYR3kkKvdE0EQWzY9xnCoc62mJk8muc2Jza12McX7qQYWknoXY8aw/s1600/southfacade.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="873" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyyqX6T6sOOMZ0FK7EXwLNMBYHt5MtNi8OEhkA0Kp7ktg-HgcVVVekuqvkKlyLYnmYUy8QmaqGc4ciq9lzj7Lq4zYR3kkKvdE0EQWzY9xnCoc62mJk8muc2Jza12McX7qQYWknoXY8aw/s640/southfacade.jpg" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The curved balcony had been missing, and was recreated from a vintage photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The
color scheme I designed is for the most part monochromatic, with
different shades of warm greens. The eaves are brightened with a
green-gold color, and 23.5 karat gold leaf helps celebrate some very
special details.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Historic homes of this period were often
painted with a medium tone body and darker trim. I have been finding
more and more, that the white trim so prevalent in the 20th century is
not as appealing, especially when urban dirt accumulates on
it. The 19th century style of painting darker trim can give the period
architecture a lot of stability and grace. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRloTiH4Fev-EAeAshcwGOp3pRETGC5ICTEP-_evHSkxpqC1VNAVBNQ-TEPPYzCrdscN_FT0c69eI0uGmzhUk9Nuxxm3lK3MzqIXzMim_TQSpG4Z-Y1gUYio0lnIrzZUgWrY6XD_Y7ro/s1600/underbay.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRloTiH4Fev-EAeAshcwGOp3pRETGC5ICTEP-_evHSkxpqC1VNAVBNQ-TEPPYzCrdscN_FT0c69eI0uGmzhUk9Nuxxm3lK3MzqIXzMim_TQSpG4Z-Y1gUYio0lnIrzZUgWrY6XD_Y7ro/s640/underbay.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A favorite detail: Gothic pendant under the bay window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Many years of work have gone into the restoration of this landmark home. Dozens of
skilled artisans have contributed to its revival along with tireless effort on the part of the owners. A
complicated roof and tower was totally refitted, with copper gutters,
working chimneys, and metal cresting sitting atop like tiara. Window
sashes have been restored or reproduced, lead paint stripped off,
missing ornament and architectural features recreated. During some of the
work evidence of the original paint color was found to be... green.</div>
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Sometimes I go a bit out of my way just to pass the corner on which the Nightingale House is perched. </div>
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More about the Nightingale House at <a href="http://hoodline.com/2015/08/unveiling-the-mysterious-nightingale-house" target="_blank"> <b>Hoodline</b></a><br />
<i>Color Design by Lynne Rutter </i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><i>I have never heard that the house was haunted, but I'd be happy to start a rumor...</i></span></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></i></span></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-55088462193620853882018-06-08T02:55:00.001-07:002018-06-21T02:03:24.748-07:00Underground Treasure in Venice<h3>
<i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;">In which we discover Venetian Pearls and Buried Beauty </span></span></i></h3>
<h3>
<i><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></i></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-StmrGyr8lqEJYIgPx1-wXdsyacZXUFAxWqJOZkv0hczDCdukNOEY94qECqCXN5EnbLQAXOOsUOYIuQ3bLcZ9bDfZVF01uskJjfnGH0zv3uS6uKuesmzK92yAcf5gsJvhu9_OZ439Ekw/s1600/ssimonep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-StmrGyr8lqEJYIgPx1-wXdsyacZXUFAxWqJOZkv0hczDCdukNOEY94qECqCXN5EnbLQAXOOsUOYIuQ3bLcZ9bDfZVF01uskJjfnGH0zv3uS6uKuesmzK92yAcf5gsJvhu9_OZ439Ekw/s640/ssimonep.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Simeone Piccolo, Venice, built 1738</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Maestro, as we call him, composed the first two acts of his <a href="http://blog.erlingwold.com/2018/01/the-sinking-approaches.html" target="_blank">new opera</a> in the spare bedroom of our Florentine flat this winter. When the time came for him to take this work up to Austria to present it to the theatre, we put the electric piano in a snowboard bag (it fit perfectly) to make it easier to take on the train.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know, it sounds glamorous, and maybe it is.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Se7bCrQkLvjousFIfvelxNm5HVZ0d-K0gjSCT3_0gvZzUJ6socOzqdW67nrFH3AJq3x3WKx6TVPyAL9rJCW608YFrUomImV9PcHZMkOffQNIjzqJ-X4dJ6inTMPBMF2rC3nl7C_V4sA/s1600/coralbeads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="981" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Se7bCrQkLvjousFIfvelxNm5HVZ0d-K0gjSCT3_0gvZzUJ6socOzqdW67nrFH3AJq3x3WKx6TVPyAL9rJCW608YFrUomImV9PcHZMkOffQNIjzqJ-X4dJ6inTMPBMF2rC3nl7C_V4sA/s400/coralbeads.jpg" width="325" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glass bead coral necklace by Marisa Convento</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I accompanied Erling and his piano as far as Venice, and treated myself a day to wander about the city on an unusually warm and uncrowded midwinter day, feeling a bit blue that I would not be staying for Carnivale this time. Feeling even bluer that I wasn't able to return to Venice with my mother, something we talked about a lot during her last year. I was cheered and inspired by a visit with the great <span class="cb3 fs32 ff1 cf0"><i>Impiraressa</i></span>, <b><a href="http://www.marisaconvento.it/" target="_blank">Marisa Convento</a></b>, a Venetian artisan reviving the traditional art of seed glass beading from her small shop in San Marco, <i>Venetian Dreams</i>. Not just an expert beader, Mariso knows the history of her art, and the significance of its revival. She works with vintage and antique glass beads, and has an impressive collection of the special "Pearls:" antique (and highly collectible) Murano-made beads used for centuries in trading around the world, and which have found their way back to the city, and into her skilled hands.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Marisa is one of the artisans involved with <b><a href="https://veneziaautentica.com/" target="_blank">Venezia Autentica</a></b>, a brilliant organization helping to educate visitors on how to have a more meaningful experience in a city being trampled by mass tourism. While we commiserated on the fate of the artists in our respective cities, I could see that the fight to save Venice may well be won by her artists. Who knows more about perseverance than a Venetian? Than a Venetian artist? <br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Buried Treasure</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just across the canal from Santa Lucia station is the strangely proportioned church of San Simeone Piccolo (above.) Attracted by its impressive copper green dome, visitors might peek inside the circular nave, see the protective plastic sheet covering the ceiling, and then leave. I personally have never seen the inside of this dome and the church under it is unremarkable. However, this church keeps a secret treasure in its crypt. You can buy a candle from the attendant as admission, and go down the stairs.</div>
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Now, stay still, until your eyes get used to the dark. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4TX3xe1xuAYRbPw9Mfxa1T-ZN9TEo5xYZYR_kT7RLz0UNvQsFhHUkFM9Alm5GriB3b-WIEFHP1AjSdjQGadWcFS-Nnyx4UvWk1Fxa8kIT2UhtiEIvV80doEu-1hKXb4cipe8LnQlPkg/s1600/swallcross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1200" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4TX3xe1xuAYRbPw9Mfxa1T-ZN9TEo5xYZYR_kT7RLz0UNvQsFhHUkFM9Alm5GriB3b-WIEFHP1AjSdjQGadWcFS-Nnyx4UvWk1Fxa8kIT2UhtiEIvV80doEu-1hKXb4cipe8LnQlPkg/s640/swallcross.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painted designs on the walls of the crypt</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
You will see, the entire crypt is covered in ornament and murals! Rough and sort of theatrical in style, the painting shows up pretty well in low light. Most of the ornament is done with a very limited palette of yellow ochre, red, white, and a bit of black.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnDOD2wR2jOmfrpkUXa-c_yc15wV6uxsNcll9Wx2Wb7JjFA_yeTjhtvNOv0SapILoWH7ZjOvJCUnlypBmHXc5tbqDw3pmJ44olur64lhwy0syAvVx9wnZIxiNZMfAJcacZF0GxdEgVp4/s1600/svault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnDOD2wR2jOmfrpkUXa-c_yc15wV6uxsNcll9Wx2Wb7JjFA_yeTjhtvNOv0SapILoWH7ZjOvJCUnlypBmHXc5tbqDw3pmJ44olur64lhwy0syAvVx9wnZIxiNZMfAJcacZF0GxdEgVp4/s640/svault.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lit by a single candle, the crypt walls and ceiling are visible only for a few feet.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsXsv2KpqnCdfp8wVRO-sSc74nnx_KGHKznnMR9aI7BdVUc1erdQl2FE2G1-2flE04t4fEy1GmPt9-fPq7kky6BfWlJ_b8YhMVgx9b3RcUO6g9FGvjdvJP_LDUDfok9aZ0mmJ7RHhya4/s1600/sceilingv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsXsv2KpqnCdfp8wVRO-sSc74nnx_KGHKznnMR9aI7BdVUc1erdQl2FE2G1-2flE04t4fEy1GmPt9-fPq7kky6BfWlJ_b8YhMVgx9b3RcUO6g9FGvjdvJP_LDUDfok9aZ0mmJ7RHhya4/s640/sceilingv.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crypt ceiling painted in ornament with red and yellow ochre</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes it is well below ground, and yes it is damp and cold. It appears to have been painted in the 18th century after the church was built, and I have no idea if... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
darn it my candle went out and I have to make my way back to the entrance, where one little candle was left burning. <i> </i></div>
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<i>Xe mejo on mocolo impissà che na candela stuà. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1)</span></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaJxiLsSS8KqFKBEt0mcurt1D80jN-oCCNMbSjQ8DTLsA-3G9vni7NPt1oeQBVW6FfgWyBlJiYhI2Lh9GyJSGOncS9GK4Wra1I5sr4dY0nzlZSXCwZiAcYR1zXR6O3SPWAJr6NQNkWy0/s1600/schapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1200" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaJxiLsSS8KqFKBEt0mcurt1D80jN-oCCNMbSjQ8DTLsA-3G9vni7NPt1oeQBVW6FfgWyBlJiYhI2Lh9GyJSGOncS9GK4Wra1I5sr4dY0nzlZSXCwZiAcYR1zXR6O3SPWAJr6NQNkWy0/s640/schapel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small chapel in the center of crypt, lit by a single light near the entrance</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Radiating from a central octagonal chapel are corridors leading to small shrines and burial chambers, These were ransacked and ill-used during the Napoleonic period. Any records about who is buried here were lost at that time. Any candelabra that may have been here... have not been replaced.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8L9rV0wgZJ6JpCaagVH-4cIIVZltA3oMDQfDaDB1CDLmPKOaf8o0Dhb4yvYYSn_BomxcItrRxNVFAeNYvCN1CackEo6NxYp_KpadwX8hMDFfMYVKAZgAbHLh1dgu07WlohyDYEPA5G5o/s1600/sweeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8L9rV0wgZJ6JpCaagVH-4cIIVZltA3oMDQfDaDB1CDLmPKOaf8o0Dhb4yvYYSn_BomxcItrRxNVFAeNYvCN1CackEo6NxYp_KpadwX8hMDFfMYVKAZgAbHLh1dgu07WlohyDYEPA5G5o/s640/sweeping.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mournful mural detail by candlelight</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenlzlsvEc6nIBIdwJUNRiCAXBW3MsaFO1_74HfCg7EExMD2TmqIK7T2xkFCCy2N6ZwVgdEVT3XxoohCiAJwidMoPV34icuO0JpS0u98PdYhDO-CwJfcGbdLDnjMtg8B08vH2PEzuxhiA/s1600/sshrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenlzlsvEc6nIBIdwJUNRiCAXBW3MsaFO1_74HfCg7EExMD2TmqIK7T2xkFCCy2N6ZwVgdEVT3XxoohCiAJwidMoPV34icuO0JpS0u98PdYhDO-CwJfcGbdLDnjMtg8B08vH2PEzuxhiA/s640/sshrine.jpg" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small shrine inside the crypt with loose but effective trompe l'oeil painting</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu96bUnRD3MrN9UhhhRQFcrsIDIi189zecAwD0dNeYcPgxirirnRbH9evHPfPiFTa3t6AAMpqSGGqx47ikGcX-lESlhgyUtF7vGP7AqN9UeNoicdO26AXczHGxPUAdj1C4WuJdhcDXBKI/s1600/sewstoning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1200" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu96bUnRD3MrN9UhhhRQFcrsIDIi189zecAwD0dNeYcPgxirirnRbH9evHPfPiFTa3t6AAMpqSGGqx47ikGcX-lESlhgyUtF7vGP7AqN9UeNoicdO26AXczHGxPUAdj1C4WuJdhcDXBKI/s640/sewstoning.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stoning of St Stephen, in a faux gold mosaic cartouche.*</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't have a flash on my camera but I resort to using the flashlight of my phone a few times. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Especially when I hear things.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7w_0CtQ0yBGR9CLKfgc4nwFGWKqXGJAYSqyz-GsF9XhtyBpEqBNRX0YCcADtmHQQPv1rX4JIVUtTeRl7KD5reRhPvVZO8e4wSSTSdSg2b7ISb2monUvAWEqRxtfAcTSw_c0a5OYEIvU/s1600/ssunflowervault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7w_0CtQ0yBGR9CLKfgc4nwFGWKqXGJAYSqyz-GsF9XhtyBpEqBNRX0YCcADtmHQQPv1rX4JIVUtTeRl7KD5reRhPvVZO8e4wSSTSdSg2b7ISb2monUvAWEqRxtfAcTSw_c0a5OYEIvU/s640/ssunflowervault.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to a family tomb</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSih_Ag0PVBheQvCPmIwiuWiqWB2ilJq-FyVXttmtXe4fRZZL2B7Mm6lPDr8jUF3C6ZdRryMGk5ZtPBu36AxTUIiPQ7D1WGkmWxxngjP0wQMewFv55x3u5fBurCAlDVgXDZCiVXXkW4o/s1600/syellowblack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="1200" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSih_Ag0PVBheQvCPmIwiuWiqWB2ilJq-FyVXttmtXe4fRZZL2B7Mm6lPDr8jUF3C6ZdRryMGk5ZtPBu36AxTUIiPQ7D1WGkmWxxngjP0wQMewFv55x3u5fBurCAlDVgXDZCiVXXkW4o/s640/syellowblack.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside a tomb, with a yellow, black, and ochre color scheme</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7mC4IWcsN6cxRoTVf8jZWsJ12NzrM753PEobJpqFasAh50-9IIPI5z8dcgwBd-eNTms3ibXo1h0NhEaEDMlcvglhOuS1H6nhZK8jvHMivVT8c0YFmOj0V14jEUmHOunPAM1AycH3Afw/s1600/schapel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7mC4IWcsN6cxRoTVf8jZWsJ12NzrM753PEobJpqFasAh50-9IIPI5z8dcgwBd-eNTms3ibXo1h0NhEaEDMlcvglhOuS1H6nhZK8jvHMivVT8c0YFmOj0V14jEUmHOunPAM1AycH3Afw/s640/schapel2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tomb where the tunnels split into four directions. The trompe l'oeil grill on the ceiling mimics a real grill elsewhere in the crypt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaYKHkAs1Ni5zOFxlJYl1SBhJXUD39vYmGaAkd_enw4MK1ohAPo15jxdMhmyicF-eoWaOuJ7O-ACAkE1l6SF_VPIZ-3TKTFNZ2bw-eDScChdSk0173U_4yteZl09ZdBa0gpO0J8-MueQ/s1600/sskeleton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaYKHkAs1Ni5zOFxlJYl1SBhJXUD39vYmGaAkd_enw4MK1ohAPo15jxdMhmyicF-eoWaOuJ7O-ACAkE1l6SF_VPIZ-3TKTFNZ2bw-eDScChdSk0173U_4yteZl09ZdBa0gpO0J8-MueQ/s640/sskeleton.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">macabre decoration in the crypt of San Simeone Piccolo, lit by a single candle</td></tr>
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Five months later, in Klagenfurt rehearsals have started. In three hours I am in Venice to see the spectacular retrospective of <a href="http://www.nancygenn.com/" target="_blank">Nancy Genn</a> at the Palazzo Fero-Fini, which corresponds with the opening the <a href="http://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/2018" target="_blank">Biennale Architettura.</a> The art galleries are opening new shows, and prosecco is being poured in every doorway of the Dorsoduro.</div>
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Erling joins me for one day. I pay my respects to Tintoretto. On our way back, I stay with the bags while Erling ventures into the crypt.</div>
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It is perhaps better if you go into the crypt alone.</div>
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(1) Venetian proverb: Better to have a lit candle stub than an extinguished candle. <br />
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<i>All photos in this post by Lynne Rutter, 2018</i><br />
<i>except* by Erling Wold</i><br />
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<a href="http://klagenfurterensemble.at/produktion/rattensturm-angriff-auf-ein-sinkendes-orchestriert/" target="_blank"><b>Rattensturm</b></a> a opera by Erling Wold and Peter Wagner, 13 -30 June, 2018 at the Klagenfurter Ensemble, Klagenfurt-am-Worthersee, Austria.<i> </i><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.churchesofvenice.co.uk/index.htm" target="_blank">Churches of Venice</a> </b> website in English with details on every church and its art<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/marisaconvento/" target="_blank">Venetian Dreams</a></b> Marissa Convento on Instagram<br />
<b><a href="http://www.alessiafuga.com/" target="_blank">Alessia Fuga</a></b> contemporary glass bead artist<br />
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<b><a href="https://veneziaautentica.com/" target="_blank">Venezia Autentica</a></b> because the more you know about Venice the more you will love it<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.lynnerutterc.om/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></span></i></div>
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<br />Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-70542373304690416582018-06-04T13:49:00.001-07:002018-06-04T13:59:17.622-07:00Grotesque Obsession: Uffizi Revisited<br />
Here is a beautiful video of one of my favorite spots in Florence, featuring the grottesca ceilings in the East Corridor of the Uffizi.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g3z64p26p1A/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="515" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g3z64p26p1A?feature=player_embedded" width="620"></iframe><br />
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Last year, while touring the Uffizi by wheelchair (being dutifully pushed by my butler) I noticed my perspective of the ceiling was different, wider. Erling gave me his video camera and we tried making a slow tracking shot of the corridor ceilings. That didn't work very well because every time we rolled over a seam in the marble floor the camera jostled.<br />
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We returned, several times, and Erling shot the ceiling again using a handheld gimbal. And then he edited this lovely video and added some music from his opera <i>A Little Girl Dreams of Taking the Veil.</i> Thank you, Maestro!<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3z64p26p1A" target="_blank">Video</a></b> and music by<a href="http://erlingwold.com/" target="_blank"> Erling Wold</a><br />
<b><a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2015/06/grotesque-obsession-uffizi-east-corridor.html" target="_blank">Uffizi East Corridor Ceilings</a> </b>Read more about these painted ceilings in this previous post: <br />
<b><a href="https://amzn.to/2HjXNsM" target="_blank">A Little Girl Dreams of Taking the Veil</a></b> a chamber opera by Erling Wold<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></span></i></span></div>
<br />Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-45380756497111201062018-05-28T15:05:00.003-07:002021-12-23T11:28:22.700-08:00Studio Visit: Paolo Bellò, Sologna, Italy<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666;"><i>In which we are greeted by the warmest of Venetian smiles</i></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY9IGCEwQfQV7pV-Idmwzhq53mCk6jtZ6mIeRATwQsCZzVdyoqpBcyZPHdmh_3Sc5CNCrJXuoGAvJ20fw7RAAq2UJBvlTIBlwKJWnMcOav9KNts4o_PQ7FSrw6zEsKO4PLvcQBZYYJ-c/s1600/srosettes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1197" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDY9IGCEwQfQV7pV-Idmwzhq53mCk6jtZ6mIeRATwQsCZzVdyoqpBcyZPHdmh_3Sc5CNCrJXuoGAvJ20fw7RAAq2UJBvlTIBlwKJWnMcOav9KNts4o_PQ7FSrw6zEsKO4PLvcQBZYYJ-c/s640/srosettes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trompe l'oeil coffered ceiling by Paolo Bellò with various rosette designs </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O5hcHmDLNrbd2Zbw3jZZ5oIqbIcCRN9Rw1rswYO1yKT-oVEEDBT5kQY607T6geiYruMyU5CQgsRumT2GBj7EhYi-BduGFaWTQDceJAZzKNJC2c6-DN7WV675WyjRIvWPQ2MtnEl7SyE/s1600/snouveau.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O5hcHmDLNrbd2Zbw3jZZ5oIqbIcCRN9Rw1rswYO1yKT-oVEEDBT5kQY607T6geiYruMyU5CQgsRumT2GBj7EhYi-BduGFaWTQDceJAZzKNJC2c6-DN7WV675WyjRIvWPQ2MtnEl7SyE/s400/snouveau.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stucco bas-relief in <i>Stile Liberty </i>by Paolo Bellò<i><br /></i></td></tr>
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From Venice I took the regional train to Bassano del Grappa, where I was greeted by <b>Paolo Bellò </b>and his wife Stefania, and two of the warmest of Venetian smiles, then on to town of Sologna where Paolo's studio occupies a prominent place on the main street.</div>
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I first met Paolo at the <a href="https://www.salonforever.net/" target="_blank">Salon in Lecce</a> in 2015. At that time he was shy about speaking English, mainly because he didn't speak English. Since then, he and Stefania have been taking intensive English classes in order to better communicate with their new international friends. Among them, the Irish painter <b>Noel Donnellan</b>, with whom Paolo recently formed a collaborative company called <a href="https://www.pigmentti.com/" target="_blank">Pigmentti</a>. While it can be argued that studying English does not always help a person understand Noel when he gets going, both of these guys can paint, and they sure get the job done. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sologna, Italy studio of Paolo Bellò features several workrooms, and a mezzanine displaying samples of work. The giant mistletoe design is for a house in Switzerland and was rendered in stucco bas-relief.</td></tr>
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In his enormous and beautifully organized studio, Paolo treated me to a comprehensive demonstration of stucco bas-relief, one of his specialties. </div>
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After showing me the basics of traditional marmorino, its mixing, application and
finishing, as well as ways to color it, Paolo transferred a design onto the still damp plaster using a <i>spolvero</i> (pounce) and some charcoal.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrYUwUfdsMLLOFGArZI7o3X1Ye36g_Z94aS9GtS5nijR_mELS9-ZPp_cREj5hNJScOyzbhcvWLuzm-S2KvvjoP9RuOnYIolWxgmCF3BcZRa_17V0baWsPN0yL-t4M7yrE8hgQ_EN6NsQ/s1600/sspolvero.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="982" data-original-width="878" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrYUwUfdsMLLOFGArZI7o3X1Ye36g_Z94aS9GtS5nijR_mELS9-ZPp_cREj5hNJScOyzbhcvWLuzm-S2KvvjoP9RuOnYIolWxgmCF3BcZRa_17V0baWsPN0yL-t4M7yrE8hgQ_EN6NsQ/s640/sspolvero.jpg" width="572" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the <i>spolvero</i> transfers the design onto damp plaster</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">special stucco carving tools, some you buy, some you hack !</td></tr>
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While still soft the marmorino is scratched out along the design to key the surface. New white stucco is added into the ornament areas and then sculpted using special tools.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bISxuEdRgg7IyBEh-Sjs0u_Ky9cRYeoz38RB9vuFz8r-sleye_-aZKr7j98x06_56d94GTZdzuWQd25RrxPFzp71aySsVnbn9b7W04ob3_8lg-1Zhsx3uBvj2tBAuyVF9m-ekfVJC0Q/s1600/sforming.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bISxuEdRgg7IyBEh-Sjs0u_Ky9cRYeoz38RB9vuFz8r-sleye_-aZKr7j98x06_56d94GTZdzuWQd25RrxPFzp71aySsVnbn9b7W04ob3_8lg-1Zhsx3uBvj2tBAuyVF9m-ekfVJC0Q/s640/sforming.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail of stucco being built up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6tD2a3hv0_LCDSfmkKwBCSx94BK1pbf51CaxLTEvH_xBFidUzA1ppDDPEwPlc64e91IRdftTemLTHB6dkpXERShFn97xYWmqJq_ijuBCyIqoRwUTsFmPpB6TYWOs8IRgekSl1SRSe5s/s1600/spaolosculpt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6tD2a3hv0_LCDSfmkKwBCSx94BK1pbf51CaxLTEvH_xBFidUzA1ppDDPEwPlc64e91IRdftTemLTHB6dkpXERShFn97xYWmqJq_ijuBCyIqoRwUTsFmPpB6TYWOs8IRgekSl1SRSe5s/s640/spaolosculpt.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paolo Bellò sculpting detail in the stucco ornament</td></tr>
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As the stucco hardens finer detail can be added, but all of this must be timed just so and this requires a real understanding of the material and what it can do.</div>
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Paolo Belló has worked in decoration since the age of 14. He attended
the <i>European Centre for Heritage Crafts and Professions</i> in Venice. Then after
studying with maestro Ennio Verenini in Bassano, Paolo was invited to
join the Verenini decoration company, and three generations of knowledge
was passed on to him over the next 20 years. He opened his own studio
in 1994.</div>
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The hundreds of sketches, samples, maquettes, and tools in the studio are a testament to the the life's work of this consummate artisan.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDkZKeVLYLiQo1q1SSBdmSplELP-MtrEoAOyRgWzg6mkw-GWo8l6o_QwPDYYxqwFUArDtJjQd4AVswpNxwHkcR0YPuylpON5m0LXzQizBYF7a23bdpmiqt041rKJO6vn-N0bYP6LWigE/s1600/sdesigns1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1000" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDkZKeVLYLiQo1q1SSBdmSplELP-MtrEoAOyRgWzg6mkw-GWo8l6o_QwPDYYxqwFUArDtJjQd4AVswpNxwHkcR0YPuylpON5m0LXzQizBYF7a23bdpmiqt041rKJO6vn-N0bYP6LWigE/s640/sdesigns1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">optional designs for a doorway: on the right, Paolo pays tribute to his favorite architect, Carlo Scarpa.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD4XK4ofbjWNJqsLR5CryjaM4frs78YwdEVbbnhBui-QU_VG1betuEZVfqLRHEtiN79zObO1gQAJZfZVElPhPjyMHj9t7j5cNm-dFI1zPpRBD5LIlS-SXLmgdKTdcnqdBa9G-FZby7Gw/s1600/sdesigns3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1000" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD4XK4ofbjWNJqsLR5CryjaM4frs78YwdEVbbnhBui-QU_VG1betuEZVfqLRHEtiN79zObO1gQAJZfZVElPhPjyMHj9t7j5cNm-dFI1zPpRBD5LIlS-SXLmgdKTdcnqdBa9G-FZby7Gw/s640/sdesigns3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exterior Design: sketches for two possible treatments which include ornament, color and relief stucco work.</td></tr>
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During my visit Paolo and Stefania took me on a tour of their
favorite Veneto sights: the Tomba Brion of Carlo Scarpa, and the
Palladian Villa Barbaro with its Veronese frescoes that make my heart sing.
Along the way we passed houses Paolo has decorated with fresco
sundials or ornament, keeping alive the tradition of the Veneto
artisans. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Hmm2o_NGxsDUG6h-95pq3g33T-Mm_Lo6CKaeBbhbPEt7HeeAqKRJzj7vQFPRyqxPc2czGw6tZ1bKHnOpopV97AwXNJ1sXN5wLM0ImwjkE61UrVCmoy7MTolcw0s_fwfmK1c54g2Qzqk/s1600/sNLP.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1246" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Hmm2o_NGxsDUG6h-95pq3g33T-Mm_Lo6CKaeBbhbPEt7HeeAqKRJzj7vQFPRyqxPc2czGw6tZ1bKHnOpopV97AwXNJ1sXN5wLM0ImwjkE61UrVCmoy7MTolcw0s_fwfmK1c54g2Qzqk/s640/sNLP.jpg" width="497" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noel, Lynne, and Paolo at the Salon 2018 in Leeuwarden.*</td></tr>
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I look forward each year to attending the <a href="https://www.salonforever.net/" target="_blank">International Decorative Painters Salon,</a> where I have met so many friends and fellow artists from around the world. <br /></div>
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See more of Paolo Bellò's work <a href="https://www.paolodec.it/it/" target="_blank">on his website.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.architectours.it/brion-tomb-sanctuary/" target="_blank">Tomba Brion </a>by Carlo Scarpa<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Barbaro" target="_blank">Villa Barbaro</a> <br />
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<i>photos in this post by Lynne Rutter, Sologna, 2018</i><br />
<i>except * by Stefania Bellò</i><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></i> </div>
<br />Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-51387921850191578362018-02-19T15:28:00.000-08:002018-06-16T12:47:58.707-07:00Ravennae Inundata<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9uhpwkPT1C8jyG9jCRGmnK7icm006CdCn14HyKhE_Eqw-1X1t5OqyOuCOSjRBSAtyizn-mXz9JOcfOxMzk2iYIgXYUsvDKDX_yjkI6p4waCTEWd25kvebdFKK3IDDQyvCnXdvCZ7mMs/s1600/Sprespb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1470" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9uhpwkPT1C8jyG9jCRGmnK7icm006CdCn14HyKhE_Eqw-1X1t5OqyOuCOSjRBSAtyizn-mXz9JOcfOxMzk2iYIgXYUsvDKDX_yjkI6p4waCTEWd25kvebdFKK3IDDQyvCnXdvCZ7mMs/s640/Sprespb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mosaics circa 535 AD, presbytery vault, San Vitale, Ravenna</td></tr>
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“Ostrogoths” I said, punching Erling on the arm. As we entered the Basilica of San Vitale we heard music, and I froze on the spot. At first I thought it was in my head, because that’s not terribly unusual for me, but the magnificent tenor voice was coming from small well-placed speakers which filled the entire church with sound. Not plainsong or medieval chant, but a contemporary Russian choir <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdhkCq2QRjE" target="_blank">singing a <i>credo</i>.</a> Theatrical, yes, and compelling. We soon found ourselves overwhelmed by 5th century mosaics glittering with symbolism. <br />
Traveling with Erling is always good in these instances because like me he has a thorough education in Christian history and further, he is fascinated with it. Lunchtime conversations may involve intense discussions about transubstantiation or the Arian heresy. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWltJWFRH5_7tD9ETOyvJ9Bsumskv3LJWFH5jsnpyAdzVGL6AAEkTh8nwIEiqFJuMJscOO3GFoHVifqVwnuG8TQzRIZZNma8nG8ix0G9jK3BA_aF9LUaRkZYRy59aars50V3C7Rh-2TQ/s1600/svitusview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="790" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWltJWFRH5_7tD9ETOyvJ9Bsumskv3LJWFH5jsnpyAdzVGL6AAEkTh8nwIEiqFJuMJscOO3GFoHVifqVwnuG8TQzRIZZNma8nG8ix0G9jK3BA_aF9LUaRkZYRy59aars50V3C7Rh-2TQ/s640/svitusview.jpg" width="420" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walls of the <span class="st"><i>Basilica di San Vitale</i></span> are clad in book-matched marble imported from Constantinople</td></tr>
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In such a place where there are so many brilliant buttons for my mind to push, my brain is flooded with words and phrases. So passed this day...<br />
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geometry... fondo oro... iota... filioque... cosmatesco... horror vacui... clean-shaven Jesus... gammdia... bookmatched marble... octagons... conventional design... the Empress... archaic symbols... peacocks... palm trees... acoustics... recycled roman mosaic... roman mosaic... opus alexandrinum... opus sectile... Persian flaw... matroneum... pulvino... space ships... eunuchs... ecce homo... consubstantial... homoousios... transubstantiation... transfiguration... schism... spaceships... Ostrogoths... <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3JrKGZf3Mvo7mdjGtDanmQJMAoTpMjZBYDh7KrBFJHdpWedMSU_MbniUQdYEy6DUYf-fwMU8ELPf6B4DSNBMlQWowpqK8vpUWct58u8gauUG_nFWTQtNNqgyb0G1sJ_F_vXwnTK6Xos/s1600/sapse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1456" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3JrKGZf3Mvo7mdjGtDanmQJMAoTpMjZBYDh7KrBFJHdpWedMSU_MbniUQdYEy6DUYf-fwMU8ELPf6B4DSNBMlQWowpqK8vpUWct58u8gauUG_nFWTQtNNqgyb0G1sJ_F_vXwnTK6Xos/s640/sapse.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> mosaic in the apse features a youthful Jesus and an uncountable number of gold glass tiles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OaNtHzESTAVAB5RRfyPtNpIBGCZGAjG5jhSO0JaNv3MtacVDKjhN1Qe6k1VhnBqbuXhLYBQ26wViO8_OJatzS2iqu50BQrqqGV-SMW-LGxmbxpN7UIVHA6SMzAOposBnSE9v1O3Czaw/s1600/srecylced.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1284" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OaNtHzESTAVAB5RRfyPtNpIBGCZGAjG5jhSO0JaNv3MtacVDKjhN1Qe6k1VhnBqbuXhLYBQ26wViO8_OJatzS2iqu50BQrqqGV-SMW-LGxmbxpN7UIVHA6SMzAOposBnSE9v1O3Czaw/s640/srecylced.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The floor of San Vitale was raised and repaved in the 13th century and again in 1599 with cosmateque mosaics. The original 5th century floor is about 5 feet below and completely under water</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Q7BZLbNUx63GpY9u5jD4aQKibBUlbU3rJ2WW6fiHpelSkVmM7ppR9aZgKwxFPjBYgUeDt-n-b1gImfq744gNfPDcf5oTzGfMNZ3IYQkkKNCeajEFd7HNtVR3PuU85vlGK1qxJNhjvj8/s1600/sbordershoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1200" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Q7BZLbNUx63GpY9u5jD4aQKibBUlbU3rJ2WW6fiHpelSkVmM7ppR9aZgKwxFPjBYgUeDt-n-b1gImfq744gNfPDcf5oTzGfMNZ3IYQkkKNCeajEFd7HNtVR3PuU85vlGK1qxJNhjvj8/s640/sbordershoes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">counting the border elements under the Justinian panel (547 AD) and shoes...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TCxHG59KglFPjTM9rbjL9ANdhEun-oTdWQEuLA8qGdb2O53B0tUcmWSageH-2qpziauwFteV950-tD_yYtgEXRckJSOSP7JVj4HFlbJaRfw9kzdDhe7xN6_fdHiU9MQsPNiSLU3o5ZE/s1600/Sspaceship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="938" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TCxHG59KglFPjTM9rbjL9ANdhEun-oTdWQEuLA8qGdb2O53B0tUcmWSageH-2qpziauwFteV950-tD_yYtgEXRckJSOSP7JVj4HFlbJaRfw9kzdDhe7xN6_fdHiU9MQsPNiSLU3o5ZE/s640/Sspaceship.jpg" width="536" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This border is of Roman design and references the Trinity. or spaceships.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqS9V2ivgHTbjygBVW6ZdMsg_y8I42_RIkRPe3np4c-DJiyBFWDfyMYeCxtp_pk-9PKTp43mRY90zQ290iOYzAso_C2dtvfjyXGApCdnmFF6w2TvKW8DFIlq5Klg6aRno9LVRJ2LC3_I/s1600/splacidiastars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1498" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqS9V2ivgHTbjygBVW6ZdMsg_y8I42_RIkRPe3np4c-DJiyBFWDfyMYeCxtp_pk-9PKTp43mRY90zQ290iOYzAso_C2dtvfjyXGApCdnmFF6w2TvKW8DFIlq5Klg6aRno9LVRJ2LC3_I/s640/splacidiastars.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous ceiling of the "Masoleum" of Galla Placidia (d. 450) and an obvious Persian Flaw</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc55iLv_-rRBsOH36lQHOkBPIOkKAwwFBmTZAo5_770jUhVxP7W1HLcG8rtV25bbrGP-AEH_daa6xJRhdpRuyKSXlrdfd4CiszfHC_vdVOvf33sVTGfuK8cTv_0AgsK6uyNiaPyOe6Ir8/s1600/sarianbap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1477" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc55iLv_-rRBsOH36lQHOkBPIOkKAwwFBmTZAo5_770jUhVxP7W1HLcG8rtV25bbrGP-AEH_daa6xJRhdpRuyKSXlrdfd4CiszfHC_vdVOvf33sVTGfuK8cTv_0AgsK6uyNiaPyOe6Ir8/s640/sarianbap.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosaic ceiling of the 5th century Arian baptistry</td></tr>
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<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle">All photos in this post by Lynne Rutter <i>Ravenna, 2018</i></span><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle"></span><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle"> </span></span></span></h1>
<h1 class="a-size-large a-spacing-none" id="title">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle">Listen: <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdhkCq2QRjE" target="_blank">Credo Universale</a></b> (youtube) </span><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle"><a href="http://amzn.to/2sF4B2f" target="_blank">New Liturgical Chant of the Russian Orthodox Church</a></span><span class="a-size-large" id="productTitle"><i> Moscow Patriarchal Choir with Ilya Tolmachevy Natalia Haszler </i></span></span></span></h1>
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<b><a href="http://www.theglobaldispatches.com/articles/restoring-the-mosaics-of-san-vitale" target="_blank">Livia Alberti</a></b> - fascinating report on the restoration of the mosaics of San Vitale<br />
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<span style="color: #7f6000;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></span></i></span></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-59560562063192163042018-01-07T09:11:00.003-08:002018-01-07T09:11:54.882-08:00Looking Forward <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3-TTHt-X7_qw4ePKBNJYrSXn9Kaqrw0U32pHXkA3dWDZbGi3N-dY3uNKNibJ8FzxnXymQxfZ4WzQnskn8vjoolghiWN9J9Jp_n8zWh6mIoVeNzQBJC2Zl7gVT8snM1pwlqe48QOxQH8/s1600/scorsini1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3-TTHt-X7_qw4ePKBNJYrSXn9Kaqrw0U32pHXkA3dWDZbGi3N-dY3uNKNibJ8FzxnXymQxfZ4WzQnskn8vjoolghiWN9J9Jp_n8zWh6mIoVeNzQBJC2Zl7gVT8snM1pwlqe48QOxQH8/s640/scorsini1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Palazzo Corsini, Florence <i>photo by Lynne Rutter</i></span></td></tr>
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I am appreciating everything, even as my eyes get used to the dark. In my head I am still 24 years old and running through the doorway to see what's around the corner, while the more mature me fumbles with my camera to be ready for it.<br />
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Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-20266745673080440942018-01-03T10:07:00.000-08:002018-01-03T13:13:34.324-08:00The Seven Virtues of Santa Felicità<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLdxTi6i2zdteU9zkJIPtTIoKpusJOGtqNGxgjxmvt8-bx_AIbphCHSC0MdKZS7fRODY9OFBt_qVxEYQzvXE6zxbN0vW3eqqFMgz18qofItivrBj0NaIrzj59hxMmhkFf-t9q34wZXes/s1600/slips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1000" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLdxTi6i2zdteU9zkJIPtTIoKpusJOGtqNGxgjxmvt8-bx_AIbphCHSC0MdKZS7fRODY9OFBt_qVxEYQzvXE6zxbN0vW3eqqFMgz18qofItivrBj0NaIrzj59hxMmhkFf-t9q34wZXes/s640/slips.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Temperanza</i>, fresco b<span style="font-family: inherit;">y </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pietro Gerini 13</span>87 Santa Felicità, Florence</span></td></tr>
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The Chiesa di Santa Felicità is a small Oltrarno church whose facade holds up part of the Vasari corridor on its way to the Palazzo Pitti. During my Florentine stay in 2014, I made repeated visits with the goal of seeing the 14th century <i>Sala Capitolare</i>, the Chapter Room, in the older part of this former Benedictine convent.<br />
I didn’t mind returning so often, and seeing my favorite Pontormo Annunciation in the Capponi Chapel, and the Poccetti murals in the chapel opposite to it. I became friendly with the volunteer sitting inside the church who would see me coming in just about every week. She knew my name, because I’d given her my card in February, and she pronounced it Leeee-na. She wrote on a slip of paper “venerdi 13-16h” for me, meaning that between 1 and 4 PM on Fridays the Gothic sections of the building are open, and I kept this bit of paper in my wallet.<br />
But every Friday when I returned, she would then say <i>“oh, non oggi, non possiamo aprire la sala… puoi tornare la prossima settimana...” </i> and then “sorry” the only English word she seemed to know. Apparently more volunteers were needed to escort people back there, and she was minding the door on her own.<br />
The very last Friday of April, at the end of my sabbatical, I showed up one last time, and encountered a different volunteer, but the same rejection, and I was deeply embarrassed when my disappointment turned into tears. Why did I need to see this interior so badly? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuNuD2gdXp309Lv4U9wljApSqQAgl_Vol1BL3X36PmZZSaBHrI772oO-xvhvqXY1C27bQPXeoa0nX80lg5zhcyxZ3FNyxsw5KVX7jk7sIw2Gn4K3KpEe-Ltl_KYy14jV83AfT-HgR65Q/s1600/sreliquaries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuNuD2gdXp309Lv4U9wljApSqQAgl_Vol1BL3X36PmZZSaBHrI772oO-xvhvqXY1C27bQPXeoa0nX80lg5zhcyxZ3FNyxsw5KVX7jk7sIw2Gn4K3KpEe-Ltl_KYy14jV83AfT-HgR65Q/s640/sreliquaries.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of gilt reliquary busts designed for the relics of martyrs, Santa Felicità, Florence.</td></tr>
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Earlier this year (2017) I made another visit, this time in a wheelchair <a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2017/02/broken.html" target="_blank">having broken my ankle</a>, and was elated to find the <i>Sala Capitolare</i> open, and two extra volunteers on hand to lay a plank on the stairs. Erling took something of a running start to push me into the room, to the long-for glimpse of the Gothic painting inside. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMG341ztueL16u_PmXY9ytBXzHqSN8NrKpHHSWQCN9Pj6ccT5NxXw3wt5fHzH6Vrn1OyB3GbB1v2kicbVYEe5IqNT4-RkhIBzf33Yil803fhJx762sM5Cj1eWO9mWc8M2VJI9LDXMjxo/s1600/sroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMG341ztueL16u_PmXY9ytBXzHqSN8NrKpHHSWQCN9Pj6ccT5NxXw3wt5fHzH6Vrn1OyB3GbB1v2kicbVYEe5IqNT4-RkhIBzf33Yil803fhJx762sM5Cj1eWO9mWc8M2VJI9LDXMjxo/s640/sroom.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The chapter room of Santa Felicità, with a gothic ceiling and baroque murals</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Crucifixion mural and the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">ceiling of the Seven Virtues </span>were painted in 1387 by <b>Niccolò di Pietro Gerini</b>, a follower of <b>Giotto</b>. Only traces of blue remain, and this is because blue pigments like lapis lazuli are generally unstable in wet plaster, and so are added over a red or brown base <i>a secco</i>, after the fresco is dry. These tend to be the first to be lost, leaving the reddish color underneath, and as a result these paintings have an overall warm brown look. <span style="color: #444444;">(</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #444444;">In this case the color is further muddied by the fluorescent lights used in this room.)</span> The fields on this ceiling also show the ghosts of Giotto-style 8-pointed gilt stars. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>A Favorite Detail:</b> The ribbed groin-vault of this ceiling is a painted effect. What is actually a rather shallow barrel vault was given the appearance of ribbing by the addition of painted geometric boarders dividing the space into sections. A striped border changes direction, and a painted shadow along one side adds relief, making the ceiling feel taller, more graceful, and more substantial. Other borders have faux-mosaic "cosmatesque" designs which enhance the illusion and act as frames for the panels.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAGk6pqM9GN90KAmzFa9Vs_UFdsMp2Wn0oBZ2qQMfd6kO3l1AruxTVyTbDG0tU2JX1t1BWWBkAEaep_W0HjTn-aoCH5AFZVl6loT9ESifyVwfwEwrHGzUeafKGiRg3Eh7yyZC-f8D8N4/s1600/scosmatesque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAGk6pqM9GN90KAmzFa9Vs_UFdsMp2Wn0oBZ2qQMfd6kO3l1AruxTVyTbDG0tU2JX1t1BWWBkAEaep_W0HjTn-aoCH5AFZVl6loT9ESifyVwfwEwrHGzUeafKGiRg3Eh7yyZC-f8D8N4/s640/scosmatesque.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">cosmatesque borders flank the "ribs" of the trompe l'oeil groin vault, Santa Felicità, Florence</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The allegorical figures of the Virtues, have square or octagonal halos. This is, I have learned, a convention to distinguish them from angels or saints. Like saints, the figures are depicted with their attributes: <b>Fides</b> (faith) holds a chalice with the host; <b>Charitas</b> (charity) nurses a baby and holds a flame in her hand; <b>Iustitia</b> (justice) wields a sword and scales; <b>Prudenza </b>(prudence) is often depicted with a face on the back of her head and holding a snake; <b>Spes </b>(hope) holds up her hands in payer; <b>Fortitudo</b> (fortitude) carries a shield with a pillar. <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperance_(virtue)" target="_blank">Temperanza </a></b>(temperance) (see first image above) puts a finger to her lips in silence and self-restraint.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYjtWq_19fK52acLJIiOOWUAbhUycrxrKanGg-NojDMURo-GReG5DgI5JgtAyViUeEXbeZKhWqi3FusObj6nvBkQU5odmRoPAAFj3MF7gAr2F4LXjC_qxgr7Yqt0bTMG8-yOydqhEmDo/s1600/sceiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYjtWq_19fK52acLJIiOOWUAbhUycrxrKanGg-NojDMURo-GReG5DgI5JgtAyViUeEXbeZKhWqi3FusObj6nvBkQU5odmRoPAAFj3MF7gAr2F4LXjC_qxgr7Yqt0bTMG8-yOydqhEmDo/s640/sceiling.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Seven Virtues, ceiling fresco painted by<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Pietro Gerini 13</span>87, Santa Felicità, Florence</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FYU1xd6KZ1axZxhU0mrbWF8b0ugH8mE6hwW02QREhUXotjysb4F0yXKoSIRr-Hv_DIruDpAeOYFrOHzEz661bVP8M7F9YagsXLDNreENCoI_jw1tOrrm-SliSshJEl6j4SfBhYfnS-k/s1600/scornermural.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1483" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FYU1xd6KZ1axZxhU0mrbWF8b0ugH8mE6hwW02QREhUXotjysb4F0yXKoSIRr-Hv_DIruDpAeOYFrOHzEz661bVP8M7F9YagsXLDNreENCoI_jw1tOrrm-SliSshJEl6j4SfBhYfnS-k/s640/scornermural.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Murals by Cosimo Ulivelli and Angelo Gori, 1665 </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Santa Felicità, Florence</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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The Chapter room and its pronaos (porch) had been open to the cloister on one side, and there had been a lot of moisture damage, but in 1615 this area was enclosed. Then in 1665, the artists Cosimo Ulivelli and Agnolo Gori frescoed the walls with murals and <i>quadratura </i>architecture. </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's possible the older areas were painted over when the room was remodeled, but despite </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">being aesthetically at odds with the ceiling, </span></span>the murals do seem to have been designed to work with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
Santa Felicità was ordered to close on 11 October 1810, when Napoleon suppressed the monasteries of Florence. The murals were then completely whitewashed over, and have only recently been restored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Let's review: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Visits- lost count</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Years - three </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Cosmatesque ornament- check</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Tears- twice (once inside the room) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Virtues - seven. No, eight - patience is also a virtue!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.santafelicitafirenze.it/" target="_blank"><b>Santa Felicità</b> has a new! website</a> with some nice virtual visit links.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">All photos in this post by Lynne Rutter, Florence, 2017. <i> click on images to view larger.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span> </span>Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com4Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy43.7695604 11.2558136000000143.586129400000004 10.93309010000001 43.9529914 11.578537100000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-2136392790253847982017-12-22T06:25:00.000-08:002017-12-24T08:02:20.287-08:00Winter Garden<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL2oCuATKgy25zgTD7RV08dNxcOSjnPlVyj1WGIAcUg4QKn1OuFe-QWVOgNKc2zKf2ExwuBy53yKtE3ZM55iSkeJxUxEzMkXjIf00DpRyGgyqNY5Hj7mJc5OCr5loHd6tES1fEkXFyG8/s1600/swintergarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1034" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL2oCuATKgy25zgTD7RV08dNxcOSjnPlVyj1WGIAcUg4QKn1OuFe-QWVOgNKc2zKf2ExwuBy53yKtE3ZM55iSkeJxUxEzMkXjIf00DpRyGgyqNY5Hj7mJc5OCr5loHd6tES1fEkXFyG8/s640/swintergarden.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Winter Garden room an a dark winter day. <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo by Lynne Rutter</span></i></td></tr>
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Winter Solstice, on the darkest afternoon in Florence, I visited some rooms of the <b><a href="http://www.bargellomusei.beniculturali.it/musei/5/martelli/" target="_blank">Casa Martelli,</a></b> the refined home of a once wealthy and important Florentine dynasty. Now a state museum, the former palace can be visited with volunteer guides, carefully avoiding areas in desperate need of restoration. The house contains wonderful art collection in situ and many decorated rooms spanning several centuries. <br />
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The Winter Garden as they call is, is an entire room frescoed with trellises and vines under a warm sunny sky, with birds and fountains and other formal garden follies. A pair of gas lanterns indicate it was once used as a billiard room.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicatIhAM-6i4YqdRpCXt2o6QSD17v6_zSARqNgqXD8TeOSVqj7tDtMxSvDfEo8oZ1E4IyamiBugaf4Xt4uNQB2VEozAHtHMsjHdPOgN19I3yYDsRn3HT1Wdn0ea6VhjTibkIuGfoj0haY/s1600/stopiaryMartelli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicatIhAM-6i4YqdRpCXt2o6QSD17v6_zSARqNgqXD8TeOSVqj7tDtMxSvDfEo8oZ1E4IyamiBugaf4Xt4uNQB2VEozAHtHMsjHdPOgN19I3yYDsRn3HT1Wdn0ea6VhjTibkIuGfoj0haY/s640/stopiaryMartelli.jpg" width="612" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trompe l'oeil topiary architecture in the frecoed Winter Garden at Casa Martelli<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i> photo by Lynne Rutter</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IIn5cCjdZ5s1oioj7yj8Kzw1PLWklBMkmWBoj0FolGG3KJWhw5lpLERFSIA1j0w_1CrFowS2cvaT3rb8g4uH4Ph7lRfaJQPIW4HB6flz9Rp7Yb0yX_JrRYfjTeS450hjGMMGWFfFNR0/s1600/Palazzo+Martelli+5044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="567" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IIn5cCjdZ5s1oioj7yj8Kzw1PLWklBMkmWBoj0FolGG3KJWhw5lpLERFSIA1j0w_1CrFowS2cvaT3rb8g4uH4Ph7lRfaJQPIW4HB6flz9Rp7Yb0yX_JrRYfjTeS450hjGMMGWFfFNR0/s400/Palazzo+Martelli+5044.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo by Massimo Listri, 2009</td></tr>
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I am not sure if I would ever have heard of the Casa Martelli had I
not already been <strike>stalking</strike> following the work of the brilliant Florentine photographer <a href="http://www.massimolistri.com/" target="_blank">Massimo Listri, </a>whose evocative images include a shot of the Winter Garden in its abandoned state years ago.<br />
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More from Florence soon! Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com3Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy43.7695604 11.2558136000000143.586129400000004 10.93309010000001 43.9529914 11.578537100000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-82932761176839231812017-05-28T15:51:00.002-07:002020-09-23T18:38:24.348-07:00Églomisé Rhinoceros<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Allow me to introduce you to "Albert," a name that means both "bright" and "famous."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt36fyNpJnXOjAiq5lUXD4crB3bgCuzNT1XXpFfjrNMTLKgn2TlzCg7U3jCV3w2EiTLWLHa82IKnwYQ9iXYM6InWPpafy8mPQ8e0cDHsh_U3hqPbRdvrZL57ryOeu0T9oqBAPLnuS5lA/s1600/sRhinoblog.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt36fyNpJnXOjAiq5lUXD4crB3bgCuzNT1XXpFfjrNMTLKgn2TlzCg7U3jCV3w2EiTLWLHa82IKnwYQ9iXYM6InWPpafy8mPQ8e0cDHsh_U3hqPbRdvrZL57ryOeu0T9oqBAPLnuS5lA/s640/sRhinoblog.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Albert" a six foot-wide verre églomisé rhinoceros in rose gold, by Lynne Rutter.</span></i> <i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">photo by David Papas</span></i>.</td></tr>
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Approximately two meters wide, Albert is a <b>verre églomisé </b>mural, etched into gold on the reverse side of glass, and based on ( and named for)
the famous rhinoceros woodblock print by Albrecht Dürer. <br />
This commission came about when my client asked for a large painting with gold or copper and maybe an animal, or an imaginary creature, and then I said well you know if I did this on the back of glass, it would be way more work and so much more expensive but so totally cool! So of course they said yes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4k4oCa4yROYYTo08MEz6EqsHBiNwrIEfI_9bPGTG4_fqs6ZQhVDa8teCncdN93yFRWn5YGpRIjRoSDrmpwD6cHVvjA-oHnD3rnnx233fYHO4Wp_2mv6boTnFp1rj37lxC_Y_vH9Ct_Y/s1600/sdrawing.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1200" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht4k4oCa4yROYYTo08MEz6EqsHBiNwrIEfI_9bPGTG4_fqs6ZQhVDa8teCncdN93yFRWn5YGpRIjRoSDrmpwD6cHVvjA-oHnD3rnnx233fYHO4Wp_2mv6boTnFp1rj37lxC_Y_vH9Ct_Y/s400/sdrawing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the enlarged master drawing in reverse</td></tr>
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We chose the image of the rhinceros, which Dürer created having seen only a sketch of an Indian rhino. The folds of the skin look very much like armor. Dürer added an extra little spiral horn on the spine of his noble beast, as well as a pattern of spots over the "armor."<br />
My first step in creating this mural was to get to know this creature very well, through a series of drawings at large size, in reverse, as this is how I needed to etch the image.<br />
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As red gold, coincidentally known as <a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2013/07/albertina-gold.html" target="_blank">"Albertina Gold,"</a> was being used for this piece, it was essential to work on Starfire glass, which is clear and colorless, as the color of normal glass would muddy the special rosy tone of the gold leaf.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADcYhavTg7eTBLyBHFvJQ7EWjxzhSu0T43aYUuNn1Fe1KFb4a5nN-Hb-xaYA3QzgjEoqzlYW_M2419wWlOa4RgmvtU6uIM4Nxs6lJb0gPZIJeqN6txX_QQOsX49mUPprNc6X7pYfzlwY/s1600/sgiltrhino.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1200" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADcYhavTg7eTBLyBHFvJQ7EWjxzhSu0T43aYUuNn1Fe1KFb4a5nN-Hb-xaYA3QzgjEoqzlYW_M2419wWlOa4RgmvtU6uIM4Nxs6lJb0gPZIJeqN6txX_QQOsX49mUPprNc6X7pYfzlwY/s640/sgiltrhino.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rhino gilt with rose gold leaf on clear glass</td></tr>
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I gilt the rhino's body with a mirror finish, and then began etching the design through the gold. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhGqNPpgSeJ8ggtnXLPFPZ7sNVqVMZK0iRK9KOKj7ANeo6XbnoPeJ3Gd4nYoNJn18m6OB8BSxuiFPnDetBiAx3_IKYxCVjXY6q9mexfxaW1NxqFlyYcESamJtPzZpgtOPGwwsAAs4fGM/s1600/etching.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhGqNPpgSeJ8ggtnXLPFPZ7sNVqVMZK0iRK9KOKj7ANeo6XbnoPeJ3Gd4nYoNJn18m6OB8BSxuiFPnDetBiAx3_IKYxCVjXY6q9mexfxaW1NxqFlyYcESamJtPzZpgtOPGwwsAAs4fGM/s640/etching.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">etching the 23 karat rose gold</td></tr>
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Once the body of the rhino was complete, the background was gilded with the same red-gold leaf, but with a matte finishin in a broken leaf pattern. Additional features were then etched into it. The piece was backed with a chocolate brown paint, and then mounted in a float frame of solid walnut built by Christine Lando. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPRSgnDwxuJg4SumtiBg2DyhVqWkKyt3ULPAAY5t08taCW-vb0iHO9yzJWyUzRkaMdcOqc9T0-J-ELZOgbfbp4d9siOJ5SHH2o3q8bux3ZUQHSX5kF4la_Vd2_eMmr1aqzR-Nctqr42s/s1600/sdavidshoot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPRSgnDwxuJg4SumtiBg2DyhVqWkKyt3ULPAAY5t08taCW-vb0iHO9yzJWyUzRkaMdcOqc9T0-J-ELZOgbfbp4d9siOJ5SHH2o3q8bux3ZUQHSX5kF4la_Vd2_eMmr1aqzR-Nctqr42s/s640/sdavidshoot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photographer David Papas takes Albert's fashion portrait in the studio</td></tr>
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To photograph a mirror is pretty difficult! My photographer David Papas created a white environment to reduce reflections in order to document this piece (see his amazing shot in the first image above.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZWkwA2Sj5_mgzq76IZzi9yT5yunM874Cp9Sf6XQf_9g5M8XvgHEKm0Pk0c6wqoYpCMLML0Yh6gkpWg_nL2qYXPiIFRoY3pTlQ9hX0lafJQMcAQfns7R1dcCPZyIhJ_YG6jX888pL-Vk/s1600/sInroon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZWkwA2Sj5_mgzq76IZzi9yT5yunM874Cp9Sf6XQf_9g5M8XvgHEKm0Pk0c6wqoYpCMLML0Yh6gkpWg_nL2qYXPiIFRoY3pTlQ9hX0lafJQMcAQfns7R1dcCPZyIhJ_YG6jX888pL-Vk/s640/sInroon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albert the églomisé rhino reflects on his new surroundings</td></tr>
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Installed in his new home Albert is the boss of the entire first floor. At first a ghostly apparition, the details of his face and body are visible from certain angles as you- and he- move about the room. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG2DtSDr57cLiZ5Heeif1KtGZThuPJqgEVd8OtFcrO95N8__OiVdW34NWV8lCTvdC8X216KOBpqbFA7GJWKqMK5Z3TBChukl8lqAvonCWiJwrfCPizP09Z9Ls-NCC9IZU_KWG8xGW1z8/s1600/segloming.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1031" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTG2DtSDr57cLiZ5Heeif1KtGZThuPJqgEVd8OtFcrO95N8__OiVdW34NWV8lCTvdC8X216KOBpqbFA7GJWKqMK5Z3TBChukl8lqAvonCWiJwrfCPizP09Z9Ls-NCC9IZU_KWG8xGW1z8/s400/segloming.jpg" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love that moment when the gold locks onto the glass...</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_230259377">Thanks to:</span><span id="goog_230259377"> </span><br />
<span id="goog_230259377">Michelina and Adrian! </span><br />
<span id="goog_230259377"><a href="http://papas.com/" target="_blank">David Papas</a> Photographer</span><br />
<span id="goog_230259377"><a href="http://christinelando.twwusa.com/" target="_blank">Christine Lando</a>, artist, archival framer</span><br />
<span id="goog_230259377"><a href="http://www.farberartservices.com/home" target="_blank">Farber Art Services</a> expert installation</span><span id="goog_230259377"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.wbgoldleaf.com/" target="_blank">W&B Gold Leaf</a><br />
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<span id="goog_230259377"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio </a></i></span></span></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-37235436224473512382017-05-09T22:56:00.000-07:002017-05-10T11:13:21.171-07:00Studio visit: Miriam Ellner, New York<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Inside the newly expanded studio of the Queen of Verre Églomisé</i></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGsEF8Ou260ME_L9xgV6ANFBTzi4TulzlONImebMhuCfVqhLWiasvaaa0Uelt-y_GH4SLuwrtU7hVOZa7u1iV4mlwXI8PdWsBc642DjPcKhv1PgakhzFJTpyyOv9GpqrxUpBVB8nL6oc/s1600/stransl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGsEF8Ou260ME_L9xgV6ANFBTzi4TulzlONImebMhuCfVqhLWiasvaaa0Uelt-y_GH4SLuwrtU7hVOZa7u1iV4mlwXI8PdWsBc642DjPcKhv1PgakhzFJTpyyOv9GpqrxUpBVB8nL6oc/s640/stransl.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collection of translucent samples in Miriam Ellner's églomisé studio</td></tr>
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While in New York last month for <b><a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2017/04/the-salon-art-deco-in-new-york-city.html" target="_blank">Salon</a>,</b> I got a chance to visit <b>Miriam Ellner</b>'s new studio in West Chelsea. High on the 12th floor of a converted factory, the studio's giant
windows fill the space with city views as well as plenty of natural
light.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLR7dlOts5cvz79Pio4mJ4AvU7ephCxyyzHMA581Q9DRHgIgpT-cqKNSj4NcD_USGuWYUqj6voFfFvDtXaujdni4rAJILNbfULhG2dXzQTE5ggpVOl1aAnvMymuQ96Hmgt5ktIHf84jg/s1600/sStudioL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLR7dlOts5cvz79Pio4mJ4AvU7ephCxyyzHMA581Q9DRHgIgpT-cqKNSj4NcD_USGuWYUqj6voFfFvDtXaujdni4rAJILNbfULhG2dXzQTE5ggpVOl1aAnvMymuQ96Hmgt5ktIHf84jg/s640/sStudioL.jpg" width="548" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The light-filled and airy workspace in Miriam Ellner's new studio. Indirect light fixtures are used over the work tables, which reduce the glare on the glass.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKFLFOTltMCdOhe1l-5Fz0h_v4dbswQ3iygqptfFSQKl-UuGJzV8P7ZW6ZtUzn0ChP4aqclWGeU3uLFhwAA_cOJoxtqKcpngkLwlqdL_FXlXCany9EenJp4yhtnLQyIPlMjCmL6PDz5g/s1600/ssampletiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKFLFOTltMCdOhe1l-5Fz0h_v4dbswQ3iygqptfFSQKl-UuGJzV8P7ZW6ZtUzn0ChP4aqclWGeU3uLFhwAA_cOJoxtqKcpngkLwlqdL_FXlXCany9EenJp4yhtnLQyIPlMjCmL6PDz5g/s400/ssampletiles.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">work in progress on the carpeted tables in Miriam Ellner's studio</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Verre églomisé</i></span> refers to gilding and painting on the back of glass. Everything must be designed from the finishing touches working backwards to the "base." This is exacting work that requires immense skill, technical knowledge, and at least as much planning as vision. And it's incredibly beautiful. <br />
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Miriam Ellner's work is astonishing in its level of craft and
inventiveness. Through hundreds of commissions and thousands of samples,
she has developed techniques for creating beautiful effects on glass
that have earned her an international reputation among the most
distinguished design professionals as a master artisan as well as an
innovator in the art of verre églomisé. <br />
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Once reserved for mirror frames, table tops, or decorative wall panels, verre églomisé is
now being used as an integral part of design rather than as a precious
accessory. Miriam Ellner has pushed that boundary throughout her
career, creating translucent doors and
windows, covering <a href="http://miriamellner.com/rooms/prt_rms_kipsbay2011_1.htm" target="_blank">entire ceilings</a>, or why not the entire room? Although, I haven't seen her design a floor...
yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn4YO9XdZZjYLpo6Ti-UjLIbSVUnDYrLAEAqSCWKIxoENoVhlZWRKdhHWyPyzOIs2aXX7usoKfEH20rHyPZk6hP05MQ4qsWNLhKMJ9cW4ytaqU_1Tvm50gcELxqBc7STM5uA9_P5LGfk/s1600/sell1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdn4YO9XdZZjYLpo6Ti-UjLIbSVUnDYrLAEAqSCWKIxoENoVhlZWRKdhHWyPyzOIs2aXX7usoKfEH20rHyPZk6hP05MQ4qsWNLhKMJ9cW4ytaqU_1Tvm50gcELxqBc7STM5uA9_P5LGfk/s640/sell1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A translucent sample with multiple layers of glass and different colors of gold leaf</td></tr>
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Having trained as a decorative painter at the prestigious<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <i>Institut
supérieur de peinture Van der Kelen</i> </span></span>in Belgium
in the late 1980s, Miriam's abilities as a painter added ingenuity to
her work once she took up églomisé as part of her practice. By the
mid-90s she was working exclusively with glass as her medium. In more recent years she has taken this work leaps further, using new
techniques, multiple layers of gold, layers of glass laminated together; designing pieces to be translucent, or to be viewed from either side, adding layers of intricacy and indeed endless possibilities.<br />
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Each project requires many samples and an immense amount of planning and logistics. Managing Director <b>Wiley Kidd</b> keeps the atelier running with aplomb. A small team of skilled artisans help to produce the commissions. Glass fabricators, gold beaters, and of course the architects, designers, and patrons also play a role in the creation of this work, which is in the end so much greater than the sum of its parts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjsOgKeoS_TesUYfklupT-4bj3tYghstycOa8ahEEnOGPAIyLQNg1VwbZJlR7hhCxnpiqqAtt80py6I0FDm6GLF0G0bLmpnM2uxDWNDQfO0NrF4pHSD7YXGy_A2k1muNKbqlJ_rAf2g8/s1600/sSamples2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjsOgKeoS_TesUYfklupT-4bj3tYghstycOa8ahEEnOGPAIyLQNg1VwbZJlR7hhCxnpiqqAtt80py6I0FDm6GLF0G0bLmpnM2uxDWNDQfO0NrF4pHSD7YXGy_A2k1muNKbqlJ_rAf2g8/s640/sSamples2.jpg" width="622" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samples from past projects in a wide variety of styles and techniques by Miriam Ellner</td></tr>
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Design ideas are fueled by ornament of every period, and patterns from every source imaginable, and a library of books covering an entire wall of the office, "and that's not the half of it," she tells me (and I believe it, being <strike>a book hoarder</strike> an avid reader myself.) In addition to the traditional materials used in églomisé - gold and metal leaf and paint - Miriam incorporates mica powders, glass beads, crushed abalone shell, and other unusual materials to create interesting surfaces and effects. This in turn inspires more creative and contemporary use of the medium itself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JRr9HZGbfZ9VYoC8CLDJSlXACFWOlOy8e9QQEv7iyGE0ZY-_NLBdRAqOSiZbSnLP9RrKPocxVemQ6YtwcElJxuCJlT__XZfuZZYEAeypqC23pejgYZeUhZFe_rUMNOu1Rcdi70jnPEs/s1600/Ellner-Ocean-Forms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JRr9HZGbfZ9VYoC8CLDJSlXACFWOlOy8e9QQEv7iyGE0ZY-_NLBdRAqOSiZbSnLP9RrKPocxVemQ6YtwcElJxuCJlT__XZfuZZYEAeypqC23pejgYZeUhZFe_rUMNOu1Rcdi70jnPEs/s640/Ellner-Ocean-Forms.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ocean Forms" églomisé artwork by Miriam Ellner created with numerous colors of gold leaf and layers of color <a href="http://miriamellner.com/" target="_blank">(via)</a></td></tr>
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The dimensional quality of verre églomisé lends itself to artistic exploration. Miriam Ellner refers to her artwork as "moving paintings:"
because of the depth of the glass and layers of gold and color, the surface changes appearance at different angles and in different light, and as you move
past.<br />
So I mean 'dimensional' in both the physical and the temporal aspect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufUBVVf3BVqUa2iYK9HIFkgi3rjJZJa5bofGAxaj1FXgLSK6OyaqqFWzX8UDQ5JlBefkEpnq2dEIqFOWsZCEqDJMYo8aQmKvT2_4UmJKXsLPdxVd-Ftw6B76a_eDMHMrxA7Ta-NNDkUI/s1600/sofficeview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufUBVVf3BVqUa2iYK9HIFkgi3rjJZJa5bofGAxaj1FXgLSK6OyaqqFWzX8UDQ5JlBefkEpnq2dEIqFOWsZCEqDJMYo8aQmKvT2_4UmJKXsLPdxVd-Ftw6B76a_eDMHMrxA7Ta-NNDkUI/s640/sofficeview.jpg" width="566" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miriam's design office has a pretty nice view </td></tr>
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I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to learn from Miriam
during two workshops through the <a href="http://societyofgilders.org/" target="_blank">Society of Gilders</a> years ago. I humbly tip my most bejeweled tiara to Miriam Ellner-- Meeting this artist - and this medium- has altered the path of my work as well as inspired my art practice.<br />
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More! go look at <a href="http://miriamellner.com/">MiriamEllner.com</a><br />
Miriam Ellner featured at <a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/miriam-ellner-verre-eglomise-article" target="_blank">Architectural Digest</a><br />
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photos by Lynne Rutter, April 2017, <i> unless otherwise noted</i><br />
All designs featured in these images ©Miriam Ellner<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: purple;"><i><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></i></span></span></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-45826054317817682432017-04-23T00:17:00.005-07:002021-12-23T11:31:53.774-08:00The Salon- Art Deco in New York City<h3>
<span style="color: #444444;"><i> In which we are both humbled and inspired...</i></span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsSdyOgnZy2EckPye9OtIcz3GNAcJXZMXSwHU0yHtkMFawvZL_Y6ZQwB5WAaU7SmYW3C8bw9ULed6WA5A7_acWy7ZNuupTTYNT4wB3vGV9GfsDcxoCnYWsLLJrWhhpx5KqiLVf0fhoNU/s1600/sAmblardCrosby.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsSdyOgnZy2EckPye9OtIcz3GNAcJXZMXSwHU0yHtkMFawvZL_Y6ZQwB5WAaU7SmYW3C8bw9ULed6WA5A7_acWy7ZNuupTTYNT4wB3vGV9GfsDcxoCnYWsLLJrWhhpx5KqiLVf0fhoNU/s640/sAmblardCrosby.jpg" width="334" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pascal Amblard's portrait of fellow painter Sean Crosby</td></tr>
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I just returned from New York City, where I participated in the annual confabulation of decorative painters known simply as <a href=" https://www.salonforever.net/" target="_blank"><b>"the Salon."</b> </a> Decorative painters from 18 different countries came together to share their work and techniques with each other and the public. This year's hosts <b>Arlene McLaughlin</b> and <b>Jeanne Schnupp</b>, chose the theme of Art Deco, a style of decor and architecture inextricably linked with the city of New York.<br />
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The exhibition showcases outstanding examples of imitation wood and marble, murals, lettering, gilding, wallpaper design, and trompe l'oeil. Less visible is the affinity between these artists and the friendships developed over the years that go well beyond professional camaraderie.<br />
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Nowhere was this bond more beautifully expressed than in this mural (left) featuring a portrait of New York artist <b>Sean Crosby </b>painted by his longtime friend and collaborator, <b>Pascal Amblard</b> of France. For a number of reasons this painting had a great emotional impact on me and pretty much everyone else at the Salon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfAv_7ZeIAsWj4FruqLy_3nSYLtW1FMnjs-N5-Cr1y2XFYEB6Ty_vK1agmGlrHRh8kfVW-NZnPZPfy2R0-LIbKo3NOs_GmvgZEEDL5EbLsoNW-TFp7ObfRcMEtgnkEmrW4jJFTzkGTDo/s1600/SKarl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfAv_7ZeIAsWj4FruqLy_3nSYLtW1FMnjs-N5-Cr1y2XFYEB6Ty_vK1agmGlrHRh8kfVW-NZnPZPfy2R0-LIbKo3NOs_GmvgZEEDL5EbLsoNW-TFp7ObfRcMEtgnkEmrW4jJFTzkGTDo/s640/SKarl.jpg" width="518" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karl Groissenberger (Austria) tribute to the Wiener Werkstätte</td></tr>
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Austrian painter Karl Groissenberger designed a show-stopper of a panel which celebrates the birth of Modernism in Austria from the Wiener Werkstätte, who for a time also had a shop on 5th Ave in New York. Iconic designs from Josef Hoffman and others are displayed in a blonde walnut art deco bookcase. Along with those shoes. Those shoes I adore!<br />
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Here is but a sampling of some of the great work our international colleagues exhibited this year:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptSviSkKjCKpCns2poUTXSidePXjDsf5CQM2HSjkEJoK9QTDgGUWFrO8yu3TBQr4GTiev5p-p9gKPCCEL_YN4nb2JMXooXptSs8rWrdAlG8VDAZH7G5q83E4mRDCh407t1ir48IZc4tU/s1600/sBARRE.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptSviSkKjCKpCns2poUTXSidePXjDsf5CQM2HSjkEJoK9QTDgGUWFrO8yu3TBQr4GTiev5p-p9gKPCCEL_YN4nb2JMXooXptSs8rWrdAlG8VDAZH7G5q83E4mRDCh407t1ir48IZc4tU/s640/sBARRE.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barre Verkerke (Netherlands) faux marbre with metallic frame and lettering </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWk3W7neFrF1kC0LOAuIrF4I3FbvzvYd2NL589PH9bailml80pL2MW0C2BPvQOwSkllgOfEKDRXQab2Avw0Mn0jgJ-qCpaLib_K1rhZl7ab8MkHpTL1QMZpekg6fvDf5ShQnVT-Ifj4A/s1600/sJulienG.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWk3W7neFrF1kC0LOAuIrF4I3FbvzvYd2NL589PH9bailml80pL2MW0C2BPvQOwSkllgOfEKDRXQab2Avw0Mn0jgJ-qCpaLib_K1rhZl7ab8MkHpTL1QMZpekg6fvDf5ShQnVT-Ifj4A/s640/sJulienG.jpg" width="594" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail of a trompe l'oeil piece by Julien Gautier (France)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k05Cmd6fseWR_4yGb9Hfg_uDFFk87LbSGMtjVaTYLmVx5cRMZBqWwDYdnreQJ8JpyB3ROqnF-6kZfMOlsxhdzU72slwgfnTIluY9zceNqJ-zeQECxz9nLTZrv5SQwqMtmmD2DsoPICc/s1600/sexhibit1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k05Cmd6fseWR_4yGb9Hfg_uDFFk87LbSGMtjVaTYLmVx5cRMZBqWwDYdnreQJ8JpyB3ROqnF-6kZfMOlsxhdzU72slwgfnTIluY9zceNqJ-zeQECxz9nLTZrv5SQwqMtmmD2DsoPICc/s640/sexhibit1.jpg" width="580" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit showing work from Tina Davis (USA/Italy) and Lynne Rutter (USA)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirHzDjvAuXJLVLAZvpwM_RWuZrRxw4O1rAoKyPj2rRYRWd-3lwvfllw3PhSIBCZzRtmUwxC76CtGO8PUH7qXfu42IRAualslKpf_v9UrUl3J8wJiLuAQyswEmC28p9Ha2K9gcZ9VvU8I/s1600/sHelenMorris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirHzDjvAuXJLVLAZvpwM_RWuZrRxw4O1rAoKyPj2rRYRWd-3lwvfllw3PhSIBCZzRtmUwxC76CtGO8PUH7qXfu42IRAualslKpf_v9UrUl3J8wJiLuAQyswEmC28p9Ha2K9gcZ9VvU8I/s640/sHelenMorris.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen Morris (England) stenciled skyscrapers!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnB-79LRQE6fvbu1RHC9m6Gu1bgDQipLe863e1LWINwP0OeRWykIi2kwvTQhBkD0VK8xWE1fhyphenhyphenZx-jMA37XQGOLgFW8b_qDfLCB2pRP9dAHBEZWcOvaTu6NOkjTOhG8NYvCxFSxGnQng/s1600/skristofferhermansson.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnB-79LRQE6fvbu1RHC9m6Gu1bgDQipLe863e1LWINwP0OeRWykIi2kwvTQhBkD0VK8xWE1fhyphenhyphenZx-jMA37XQGOLgFW8b_qDfLCB2pRP9dAHBEZWcOvaTu6NOkjTOhG8NYvCxFSxGnQng/s640/skristofferhermansson.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacular faux marbre and lettering by Kristoffer Hermansson (Sweden)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfd85KnrMejm36Ol7bjJv0a_dtyI0_Qs-83GLxsAKe3L0gb9qq7gMkN7JJ3QN2eCzhdIS4JxTeYpO2u_nHu4DDKK9czeyBJ_AwhKuJZZSXYDFs0ZaTRaJ202FenFkXO3QYNNeqOrDR6M/s1600/scathyChiavaro.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfd85KnrMejm36Ol7bjJv0a_dtyI0_Qs-83GLxsAKe3L0gb9qq7gMkN7JJ3QN2eCzhdIS4JxTeYpO2u_nHu4DDKK9czeyBJ_AwhKuJZZSXYDFs0ZaTRaJ202FenFkXO3QYNNeqOrDR6M/s640/scathyChiavaro.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathy Chiavaro (USA) look closely at the cityscape</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVhGdrX4MMVddcsjlXXYaaeJP4lxhf4Vi1wah-QNbjSrqzLNIGLz54dUIT4UXeSC0lUszRMoj9Vz2HKcZeg6LfhUnWPj8iuXIcRa24Pa_KmM94ckQ1OZn6W5pcYQqE0ZvdZc_7inqqp8/s1600/sFriederikeSchulz.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVhGdrX4MMVddcsjlXXYaaeJP4lxhf4Vi1wah-QNbjSrqzLNIGLz54dUIT4UXeSC0lUszRMoj9Vz2HKcZeg6LfhUnWPj8iuXIcRa24Pa_KmM94ckQ1OZn6W5pcYQqE0ZvdZc_7inqqp8/s640/sFriederikeSchulz.jpg" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friederike Schulz (Germany) painted a classic deco-era German wallpaper design</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4KymK51Dx0r534CCRbNQG5J-TCg5H_KMCcHdC53yiLJVTj_FkB4AvUwFq9CWAnmc_f74aeWf0nJ4_YYeC5h979LtOTeD5a_t4KD7CIg5Mst_X_D8adKLYJS6CRtQctAbF9yr1a0tC90/s1600/sPetrDashchenko.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4KymK51Dx0r534CCRbNQG5J-TCg5H_KMCcHdC53yiLJVTj_FkB4AvUwFq9CWAnmc_f74aeWf0nJ4_YYeC5h979LtOTeD5a_t4KD7CIg5Mst_X_D8adKLYJS6CRtQctAbF9yr1a0tC90/s640/sPetrDashchenko.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petr Dashchenko (Russia) A superb tribute to Soviet-era Art Deco. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLNErsIgUUaXLPro0Np-HOOZqHkL59tpqCaFv1LxN8R14AamaF7n21F8s96uxhCznbd56otr8GPcco4RcUvz67zol__H4cibgZ_LFOOY6bZZr4_ZIX_6swhd_RqN2MdBD0w5paFR-jG4/s1600/sSLuca.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLNErsIgUUaXLPro0Np-HOOZqHkL59tpqCaFv1LxN8R14AamaF7n21F8s96uxhCznbd56otr8GPcco4RcUvz67zol__H4cibgZ_LFOOY6bZZr4_ZIX_6swhd_RqN2MdBD0w5paFR-jG4/s640/sSLuca.jpg" width="458" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of painting by Stefano Luca (Italy)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6ovrgguKNeA-jt2oEPniVROVADGgEFW2dw19pCSQ0hwip5xUHmwBBmaMJx4YkYRMwvDgvGrjNwBp036X-pv07bdUjdEZm2fR6GCKKqEPy9wFZvQoP_bRgq7Qy4pGd72zKts-P3kkGL8/s1600/sVNaulleau.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6ovrgguKNeA-jt2oEPniVROVADGgEFW2dw19pCSQ0hwip5xUHmwBBmaMJx4YkYRMwvDgvGrjNwBp036X-pv07bdUjdEZm2fR6GCKKqEPy9wFZvQoP_bRgq7Qy4pGd72zKts-P3kkGL8/s640/sVNaulleau.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">glossy book jackets painted by Valerie Naulleau (France)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_-Z7LU8Ec9IKoV50HFezZjQQ-MOzTIMibwLUnzhokaHghMtxt8fb7qMnB53VbnOuMM3v-WCtddpq6EvgYTU-t6be4hmtoq_FuSK05dMACIdp5jISVATHCqcBpAHGucHcbN9O5Mk8Tmo/s1600/sgert.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_-Z7LU8Ec9IKoV50HFezZjQQ-MOzTIMibwLUnzhokaHghMtxt8fb7qMnB53VbnOuMM3v-WCtddpq6EvgYTU-t6be4hmtoq_FuSK05dMACIdp5jISVATHCqcBpAHGucHcbN9O5Mk8Tmo/s640/sgert.jpg" width="330" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gargoyle of the Chrysler Building framed in faux bois/marbre by Gert-Jan Nijsse (Netherlands) </td></tr>
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Next year the Salon travels to Leeuwarden, Friesland, in the Netherlands.<br />
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<i>photos in this post by Lynne Rutter</i></div>
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Many more images of this year's Salon can be found at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SalonNYC2017/" target="_blank">Salon NYC 2017</a></b> on Facebook</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio </a></span></i></div>
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<br />Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-17828928633993802662017-03-19T12:42:00.002-07:002017-03-19T15:53:15.414-07:00The Dream of Constantine- a modern perspective<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARoC9pOYiHg8S3RVbHmLNAzz5UUo04AeSvnwnId92_NIFeV0sqoZJxqK5CimjF-ANIMS7zX2jCS-Uc51OjvkjTMf_xKWiMBe1Bx1ISDmkmJjRhfhT_w6KJIsAkeHpi2BTZCMPc_zqyMo/s1600/Stentcomposite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARoC9pOYiHg8S3RVbHmLNAzz5UUo04AeSvnwnId92_NIFeV0sqoZJxqK5CimjF-ANIMS7zX2jCS-Uc51OjvkjTMf_xKWiMBe1Bx1ISDmkmJjRhfhT_w6KJIsAkeHpi2BTZCMPc_zqyMo/s640/Stentcomposite.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Dream of Constantine" by Piero della Francesca, circa 1464 <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(photo: Lynne Rutter)</i></span></td></tr>
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We made a short trip to Arezzo, pretty much just to see Piero della Francesca's masterpiece "The Legend of the True Cross" in the Basilica di San Francesco. </div>
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This is a really staggering work telling the somewhat convoluted story of the cross and the revered wood from which it was made. It is the only surviving grand fresco cycle by Pierro della Francesca.</div>
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For most of his career della Francesca pursued mathematics as well as painting, and was for a long time after his death <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">remembered more</a> as a mathematician than as an artist, having written (and illustrated) texts on perspective, geometry, and techniques for creating perspective with color. </div>
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I kept going back to this one panel, depicting a sleeping <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great" target="_blank">Constantine</a> in a perfectly centered gold tent with a cone-shaped rose-colored
top, against a blue and realistically starry night sky
(purportedly the first ever depicted in Western Art.) Two guards and a terribly bored servant are oblivious to the bright light emanating from the delicate cross held by a dramatically backlit angel. The soldiers are thrown into deep shadow, emphasizing the unearthly light source.</div>
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I cannot help but think how modern this painting feels, with its strong blocks of color and an abstraction that seems more 20th than 15th century.</div>
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Get obsessed with me:</div>
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<b><a href="http://exhibits.museogalileo.it/deprospectivapingendi/" target="_blank">~ De prospectiva pingendi</a></b> illustrated treatise on perspective by Pierro della Francesca- facsimile at the Galileo Museum, Florence.</div>
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~ In <a href="http://www.terredipiero.it/en/" target="_blank">the footsteps of Piero della Francesca</a> - follow his work through Tuscany with a special<a href="http://www.terredipiero.it/en/" target="_blank"> phone app.</a></div>
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~An <a href="http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/2011ASPC..441..161V" target="_blank">interesting paper</a> on the night sky of this painting, and the star map on which it may have been based.</div>
<a href="http://exhibits.museogalileo.it/deprospectivapingendi/" target="_blank"><br /></a>Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-72955899369993251882017-03-13T13:08:00.004-07:002017-03-13T14:31:04.996-07:00Studio Visit: Alison Woolley<span style="color: #444444;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">A Florentine studio where Renaissance finishes meet contemporary design.</span></i></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7DeL8bN9YoybUObzAD14i3Er9kXB4NulldXMoVYdn7wbcp05u_XXZW4Oa5MKqHgzQBC8eDtTm2k3WBxuqRvpChBeWHVvGU08yrQjZFUSgFXpYzBJynKeqvarWMRI0N5YU-YfO0mmLO8/s1600/circus1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7DeL8bN9YoybUObzAD14i3Er9kXB4NulldXMoVYdn7wbcp05u_XXZW4Oa5MKqHgzQBC8eDtTm2k3WBxuqRvpChBeWHVvGU08yrQjZFUSgFXpYzBJynKeqvarWMRI0N5YU-YfO0mmLO8/s640/circus1.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A circus performer flips in Alison Woolley's gilded artwork</td></tr>
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Here I am again in Florence making lots of visits to my friend Alison's studio, on the top floor of a vintage stone palazzo filled with light and packed with samples, gilding tools, pigments, painted furniture, and at least two harpsichords-in-progress. </div>
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Long known for her gilding work, traditional harpsichord decoration, and distinctive Florentine painted furniture, <b>Alison Woolley</b> has in recent years been expanding more into contemporary design. </div>
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"I love nice craftsmanship and design and it doesn't matter what period," Alison tells me. "I do enjoy clean lines and I love that about the mid-century modern. Florentine Renaissance style often has clean lines, lovely large proportions, and very rich surfaces."</div>
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The juxtaposition is a harmonious one for an aesthetic shared across 600 years.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9y3-_oOaLlu8l0MLsIL5huuIwuK8jhd4eo5zvpvh_JjyYJmqhBRuf_FvHtCsFJMnBFNVRZlvQedYe9BDPa69hvQRilliTWMJOYxovrBfQz1dtj4myXju_y6o8d2bm_lLGhqLdcDGlgc/s1600/officetable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9y3-_oOaLlu8l0MLsIL5huuIwuK8jhd4eo5zvpvh_JjyYJmqhBRuf_FvHtCsFJMnBFNVRZlvQedYe9BDPa69hvQRilliTWMJOYxovrBfQz1dtj4myXju_y6o8d2bm_lLGhqLdcDGlgc/s640/officetable.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilding, painting, and patterns at Alison Woolley's studio</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5jGwV7fYK8QJAzzou9Wkn4NSIyTxLjd7lNXpTFdNQ-3GiWIGrDscKkZHsgKQRvcXyA-Rrzs5-hQTS2xP0AbjnCC5iVMuUcbGMm143YAN8nsmo_GX5jx8FAkkwFF-YZ6AB_Y58A95f20/s1600/officewall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5jGwV7fYK8QJAzzou9Wkn4NSIyTxLjd7lNXpTFdNQ-3GiWIGrDscKkZHsgKQRvcXyA-Rrzs5-hQTS2xP0AbjnCC5iVMuUcbGMm143YAN8nsmo_GX5jx8FAkkwFF-YZ6AB_Y58A95f20/s400/officewall.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Alison Woolley's office features hand-painted walls with a mid-century aesthetic</span></td></tr>
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In the design office of Alison's studio, an Art Deco style mirror hangs on hand-painted walls inspired by 1970s wallpaper designs. The bold scale of the pattern is surprisingly effective. </div>
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"The different values of the circles create a feeling of space so the pattern on the walls has made the room feel more spacious than it did before when the walls were white. I have a carefully chosen colour scheme that ties everything together."</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmmffr2Z9wiJNqiwrZj4Fn2rO9XkSMBvvDKl_mD6WAcck6sItjFU7h2Ae-_jTOR_O0TmbE8LZSQtB3UKeZXTZ01mB0CMXA48czHXQvfufkdkURX6HpI9hxZJK33VATceZdCyXhIRvA9g/s1600/mirrordetail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmmffr2Z9wiJNqiwrZj4Fn2rO9XkSMBvvDKl_mD6WAcck6sItjFU7h2Ae-_jTOR_O0TmbE8LZSQtB3UKeZXTZ01mB0CMXA48czHXQvfufkdkURX6HpI9hxZJK33VATceZdCyXhIRvA9g/s640/mirrordetail.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilded Art Deco detail in a faux tortoise mirror frame by Alison Woolley.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A native of Toronto, Canada, Alison moved to Florence in the late 1980s, and worked for 15 years under the guidance of Florentine master artisans, prior to opening her own <i>bottega</i> in the heart of the artisan district. A specialist in harpsichord decoration, Alison uses historic materials and techniques for this exacting work, which she in turn applies to furniture, textile designs, and artwork. Recently she has designed custom <b><a href="http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/collections/alison-woolley-italian-stencils" target="_blank">Italian Stencils</a></b> for California-based company Royal Design Studio, </span></span>as well as scarf designs for the Italian fashion house <b>Salvatore Ferragamo</b>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her teaching studio is world-famous, drawing students and commissions from 5 different continents. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJJfM8zxY_sCkLEnmOlFkrx3hKOAVITbQFvoworvNyJaaAhbWVn3uPhdVcdPoLlJCXwGfX8MDIh1HWzB3TiTcFuqqw1bwkdoipP8sB4wSmOE5hfTeDKwK5OGg4UrFsG2eL0lMd3I_9c0/s1600/sAlisonHarpsFinit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJJfM8zxY_sCkLEnmOlFkrx3hKOAVITbQFvoworvNyJaaAhbWVn3uPhdVcdPoLlJCXwGfX8MDIh1HWzB3TiTcFuqqw1bwkdoipP8sB4wSmOE5hfTeDKwK5OGg4UrFsG2eL0lMd3I_9c0/s640/sAlisonHarpsFinit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alison Woolley in her studio with the Italian harpsichord case she designed for <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"><i>L'Opéra Royal de Versailles</i></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8LW0E4j2SfeaaBxhwYBLaUAvbUIM0jlNRhXWFJHLUEgZlgnQU3hP0umlCNovUjXqLUjnvJtDUQDjiXskFAXTy-XxpZJbT8v13rcuxsVShXImTSYP6PbjRr3iGNDhVUgf5uXcUQbEAG8/s1600/giltpnels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8LW0E4j2SfeaaBxhwYBLaUAvbUIM0jlNRhXWFJHLUEgZlgnQU3hP0umlCNovUjXqLUjnvJtDUQDjiXskFAXTy-XxpZJbT8v13rcuxsVShXImTSYP6PbjRr3iGNDhVUgf5uXcUQbEAG8/s400/giltpnels.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">sample for a French harpsichord case (L) and a gilt floral panel by Alison Woolley</span></td></tr>
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Living and working in Florence for 30 years has given Alison a life full of inspiration. It's not just the old city, rich with historic artwork, architecture, and decoration, but the natural beauty of Tuscany, which has inspired its artists for centuries, and helped to create a environment that celebrates a high level of artisanship in every aspect of life, from art and architecture to fashion and food.</div>
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"I have been collecting photos of simple grates that I see around here. I love the idea of a craftsman who has the task of making a practical grate, 500 years ago or 40 years ago, and puts that extra thought into it to make it aesthetically pleasing. "</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qT5G6ivqzdLGFj-DHtf7cSG47LflHFXb4048TcsJonsxeNE0M5AmK0mx_uwCrjXxXd5m7ee6QvG2nSSNZvUUkR0vSy2tQbKFIbLzTGBYxxykp58FsOYGslh0X45Kmw7I8Ju77N6Ikik/s1600/sAWcircusart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qT5G6ivqzdLGFj-DHtf7cSG47LflHFXb4048TcsJonsxeNE0M5AmK0mx_uwCrjXxXd5m7ee6QvG2nSSNZvUUkR0vSy2tQbKFIbLzTGBYxxykp58FsOYGslh0X45Kmw7I8Ju77N6Ikik/s640/sAWcircusart.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Circus" by Alison Woolley - diptych of painted and incised 22 karat gold </td></tr>
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Among the traditions of Florentine art is the <b><a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fondo_oro" target="_blank"><i>fondo oro</i> </a></b>- the ornamented gold fields seen in the Gothic and Early Renaissiance work of the 13-15th centuries by artists such as Duccio, Giotto, and Domenico Veneziano, which relates directly to the Byzantine work of the 11th-12th centuries. Gilt gesso panels embossed with patterns and incised with designs celebrate the rich gold surface and serve as the support of a painted figure or scene. These same historic techniques are beautifully integrated into Alison Woolley's decorative commissions as well as her fine art work. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYqHUr07o8hJn3iQobW-V1fT7ywVsN42LsKTJeaAvWxl6VYluxricxIjNy5OInhuJOiuMjx0Wff5-H6JwUwTCCB9qBInpJOmllGSlWQUbLxbPT8yi-nWn9u80uSkrZQMekid3gG_QR3k/s1600/blackandpeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYqHUr07o8hJn3iQobW-V1fT7ywVsN42LsKTJeaAvWxl6VYluxricxIjNy5OInhuJOiuMjx0Wff5-H6JwUwTCCB9qBInpJOmllGSlWQUbLxbPT8yi-nWn9u80uSkrZQMekid3gG_QR3k/s400/blackandpeach.jpg" width="335" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilt and painted finishes by Alison Woolley</td></tr>
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You can see more of Alison Woolley's work at <b><a href="http://www.krop.com/woolleystudio/">WoolleyStudio.com</a></b><br />
and check the classes offered via <a href="http://florenceart.net/">FlorenceArt.net</a> in Florence, Italy<br />
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<b>Lynne Rutter Studio</b> will be hosting Alison Woolley for two classes in San Francisco:<br />
<a href="http://www.lynnerutter.com/classes.php?class=21"><b>Florentine Gilding Techniques</b></a><br />
August 24-26, 2017<br />
and<br />
<a href="http://www.lynnerutter.com/classes.php?class=34"><b>Renaissance Finishes for Contemporary Design</b></a><br />
August 28-30, 2017<br />
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<i>all photos by Lynne Rutter</i><br />
<i>except nº 3 courtesy Alison Woolley</i><br />
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<i><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio </a></span></i></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-45874123469358981782017-03-04T12:35:00.000-08:002018-04-05T17:58:01.742-07:00Arcobaleno PigmentiDiscovering a beautiful pigment shop in Venice, Italy<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz5b3ToVf8czuHFu1IQevpxdCa4Z_LXKNju-CacbvRmQCEaSeY0pWo1yPDPfBnIMQ3cNkKici6QUT2c1Ub9scsU6UVoYh4vs402J9PeX1MvFjD1vAfMDwAVzr6T1S_hFIWadfye33-as/s1600/spigmentwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQz5b3ToVf8czuHFu1IQevpxdCa4Z_LXKNju-CacbvRmQCEaSeY0pWo1yPDPfBnIMQ3cNkKici6QUT2c1Ub9scsU6UVoYh4vs402J9PeX1MvFjD1vAfMDwAVzr6T1S_hFIWadfye33-as/s640/spigmentwall.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An entire wall of pigment in big candy jars!</td></tr>
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While looking for authentic artisan shops to visit in Venice, I heard about the pigment shop, <b><a href="http://veneziaautentica.com/venice-art-supply-shop-arcobaleno-pigmenti/" target="_blank">Arcobaleno</a></b>. For the past 15 years or more, they have specialized in pure pigments of exclusively Northern Italian origin used in the traditional Venetian School of painting. You can also see these colors used in the marvelous saturated stucco facades of Venetian architecture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKJLeDboNplsI_nzlIHonjVHKF6mY06YaVV1rvmzNhCr_d7fZ2GyW83lwWphqLh7PMjua0DHHDzw3OQ2aWg5w1FAoXU4ovTkoDsyoN1P4fgtsXoqkm3U-Fgy4aQTLUVOQaRvCAwGgye8/s1600/sorange.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKJLeDboNplsI_nzlIHonjVHKF6mY06YaVV1rvmzNhCr_d7fZ2GyW83lwWphqLh7PMjua0DHHDzw3OQ2aWg5w1FAoXU4ovTkoDsyoN1P4fgtsXoqkm3U-Fgy4aQTLUVOQaRvCAwGgye8/s640/sorange.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What pigment is used in this brilliant red-orange stucco? </td></tr>
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The intersecting relationship between pigments, artist materials, spices, and medicinal herbs; the apothecary, or <i>speziale</i>; has always thrilled me. I think of my own studio as a laboratory of sorts and keep my pigments in reagent jars. Inside Arcobaleno the pigments are dispensed from huge candy jars. We met our friend Karima, an egg-tempera painter who was also there for Carnivale, for a few minutes of pigment geekery and chatted with the shop manager. We both found the prices of the pigments surprisingly reasonable, especially as so many of them are difficult o find in the U.S.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBJy3jPr3746yCrFCDGmOG80xJGtuKAsbnYj3IfvOx8QQRhE7MUiqvBRZifxq6tGec3_uhKadUmaffkRoUwEfQ5Y4CRzr75ED0GNAAR80UUaSf4GcqmLgrlxku77e8T5oADX-FG8VnGA/s1600/Sarcobalenowindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBJy3jPr3746yCrFCDGmOG80xJGtuKAsbnYj3IfvOx8QQRhE7MUiqvBRZifxq6tGec3_uhKadUmaffkRoUwEfQ5Y4CRzr75ED0GNAAR80UUaSf4GcqmLgrlxku77e8T5oADX-FG8VnGA/s640/Sarcobalenowindow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Display of raw pigment in the window at Arcobaleno</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiqCK2H7UH7gVCkOaCUqpQOUE1sMiJF769nSkL_ZS8kXz3EJWpp9mGiNzlFj1uU1QsN7tKxGr3UghqcNWuMBMftIyoyKehXa2BGstMOIT7ljkLeEj7MRumsNNLidQ_h2niyFvEgD0FU4/s1600/sbeads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiqCK2H7UH7gVCkOaCUqpQOUE1sMiJF769nSkL_ZS8kXz3EJWpp9mGiNzlFj1uU1QsN7tKxGr3UghqcNWuMBMftIyoyKehXa2BGstMOIT7ljkLeEj7MRumsNNLidQ_h2niyFvEgD0FU4/s320/sbeads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a rainbow of glass metal-fused beads at Arcabaleno</td></tr>
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The shop also sells raw materials for making paints, glue and gelatin for gesso and gilding, gum arabic, resins, oils, and metallic powders. Venetian-made items like glass beads, leather aprons, incense and ceramic incense burners, glass lettering pens, and unique brass hardware make this a great gift shop as well as a useful resource for people who make beautiful things. <br />
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Finding an address in Venice is not simple. An address is simply composed of the <i>sestieri, </i>or district, and a randomly assigned building number. Google Maps will often get this completely wrong. <br />
<b>Arcobaleno Pigmenti</b> is located at San Marco 3457 Venezia... <span class="section-info-text">which is actually on Calle de le Boteghe, at the northern corner of the Campo Santo Stephano. <br />
A second location was recently opened in the Dorsoduro neighborhood at Calle della Chiesa 682. <i>Phone </i></span><i>+39 041 5236818</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqnNQtEBuCD-92YTNWTqyAZfIlJxQYrIiq8NMHe8w4n1XIGY9Q8rBzx94-jemCAV-kbE-7iONWAa3BkhEdSU7yCOy46_yrqGSXEA8Y2eOV9iyjVHTbv-wAs8JBouat7p3nrunSfWvfUY/s1600/sreds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqnNQtEBuCD-92YTNWTqyAZfIlJxQYrIiq8NMHe8w4n1XIGY9Q8rBzx94-jemCAV-kbE-7iONWAa3BkhEdSU7yCOy46_yrqGSXEA8Y2eOV9iyjVHTbv-wAs8JBouat7p3nrunSfWvfUY/s640/sreds.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Venetian pigment at Arcobaleno</td></tr>
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<span class="section-info-text"><br />
<i>photos in this post by Lynne Rutter, February 2017. Click on any image to view larger</i><br />
*****</span><br />
<span class="section-info-text">Tip: check out<b> <a href="http://veneziaautentica.com/" target="_blank">Venezia Autentica</a></b> to learn more about local artisans, food, and culture in the city of Venice. </span><br />
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</span>Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com9Calle de le Boteghe, 30100 Venezia, Italy45.4340242 12.33004830000004445.4312387 12.325005800000044 45.436809700000005 12.335090800000044tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-84181477648906616852017-02-17T12:51:00.004-08:002017-02-18T02:26:16.322-08:00Grotesque Obsession: Pulchrior in Luce<i>In which we relive another great moment found by peering through doorways</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAXo4q3EYT1VmpOIQThBI78hWaqjsDHxZcyOxb0pEcHhbO8nlW0r0SRFWRgPGwC2lmfOswvpJqHRPU8t_RHAFYqhnQg_ZRJ1LqX-_PxmFwnJbTJUmt6Aw-N7uN5QhDo08jDt7YaCPZyc/s1600/scoraltree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMAXo4q3EYT1VmpOIQThBI78hWaqjsDHxZcyOxb0pEcHhbO8nlW0r0SRFWRgPGwC2lmfOswvpJqHRPU8t_RHAFYqhnQg_ZRJ1LqX-_PxmFwnJbTJUmt6Aw-N7uN5QhDo08jDt7YaCPZyc/s640/scoraltree.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pulchrior In Luce" ~ More Beautiful in the Light<i> </i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o2zwpv3w5gDvPVjlL4ZlTFDmbZENKwFreekEZiFo-rcMo_fqzejpjjtW9e7uG-sj4wWcSj9H0YZF_EiXyMVXXvNKIV3ufDjmKLPl-AmvV7IAfR6iJJ5_-U-LJ2TarUF8gNBShk3veJY/s1600/sLobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o2zwpv3w5gDvPVjlL4ZlTFDmbZENKwFreekEZiFo-rcMo_fqzejpjjtW9e7uG-sj4wWcSj9H0YZF_EiXyMVXXvNKIV3ufDjmKLPl-AmvV7IAfR6iJJ5_-U-LJ2TarUF8gNBShk3veJY/s640/sLobby.jpg" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffered ceiling with grottesca decoration by Bernardo Poccetti</td></tr>
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Wandering along the Borgo Pinti I found the unassuming entry of an austere-looking palazzo with its giant, stud-riddled door wide open. Flashes of a grottesca ceiling caught my eye in what is currently the entry to a hotel. So naturally I inquired inside, and learned that it was known as the Palazzo Marzichi-Lenzi, which is the former palace of the Neri-Ridolfi family whose coat of arms is painted in the center of the ceiling. <br />
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The painted ornament is attributed to <a href="https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Bernardino_Poccetti" target="_blank">Bernardino Poccetti </a>(1548 – 1612), also known as Barbatelli, a prolific and famous local artist whose work includes the sgrafitto decoration of the Palazzo Bianca-Cappello; the Medici Villa di Artimino; ceiling vaults of the Ospedale degli Innocenti, and the murals in the grand salon of the Palazzo Capponi. Earlier in his career he was known as a great designer of <i>grottesche</i>, in his later years he painted more monumental and naturalistic figurative murals. This ceiling ornament dates from the early 1580's and was beautifully restored by Gioia Germani in 2001. <br />
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With its coffered ceiling this space really looks to me like an oddly empty library or even a stripped-out <i>studiolo</i>. The room feels private, even more so because of the esoteric symbolism in the ceiling paintings. As is often the case this palazzo has been remodeled so many times it's hard to say where the original entry was or how this space came to be used in this way. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7N7TQv_l1XWePqqGtRyro7zhBbuKfAc_5cESLrUPagTGSYyPiWP3hppqJwVxZr5_WKfWr1i0p_nQu7J_ofF5cdPm4h0qiyQEXjNHNt-TlNKVSLHZ1Ymub3DIjKdebi4L2-yHqh-o-qM/s1600/sarms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7N7TQv_l1XWePqqGtRyro7zhBbuKfAc_5cESLrUPagTGSYyPiWP3hppqJwVxZr5_WKfWr1i0p_nQu7J_ofF5cdPm4h0qiyQEXjNHNt-TlNKVSLHZ1Ymub3DIjKdebi4L2-yHqh-o-qM/s640/sarms.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The coat of arms of the Neri-Ridolfi family, presented with a double cartouche and festoons of fruit </td></tr>
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The ceiling is made up of almost-square as well as rectangular coffers, all of which are slightly skewed and in some cases completely wonky, which as a painter I find to be typical in even newly-built coffered ceilings. I found the lighting in this space to be extremely difficult, and I was compelled to return with a flash (*gasp*), in order to shoot this ceiling.<br />
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So now, let's have a closer look at these marvelous little paintings, shall we?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-ri0P2SxOYYcs2l0o7rP8WceScjfw-jVohFxNYqHef7GnM6WwXLq3aU8QVpy6IthAxnabc7zFjNBntzEEQ0poBJig1vBxdhoT0IBqVjXNxtiDCGvLBLCPIE_-jT_YTaeVdlN06y4pMA/s1600/smedusa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-ri0P2SxOYYcs2l0o7rP8WceScjfw-jVohFxNYqHef7GnM6WwXLq3aU8QVpy6IthAxnabc7zFjNBntzEEQ0poBJig1vBxdhoT0IBqVjXNxtiDCGvLBLCPIE_-jT_YTaeVdlN06y4pMA/s640/smedusa.jpg" width="630" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Malio Lumina" features the the stone cold glare of Medusa as "Evil Eyes"</td></tr>
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Medusa is a familiar face in Renaissance art. In Greek mythology, the gorgon Medusa's very glance could literally petrify a man, turning him into stone, and she came to symbolize the "Evil Eye." <br />
Perseus set Medusa's severed and bleeding head on the riverbank while he washed his hands, and her blood turned the reeds into red coral. Thus to protect against the Evil Eye one wears or displays branches or beads of precious red coral. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhWYgqIkx36QQDKYtppPRt0cO16w_4hjIMj28XDbdJhKrBglVIc4P_gVhKssJhOf60UmF6qCLKlGUhz3CzpYYClYCmhL3kPG4sd2RqNAjt8nFZ4RKmhG5NnIMWhyu2v1hGKansTnxZf4/s1600/scoraltreeDuomo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhWYgqIkx36QQDKYtppPRt0cO16w_4hjIMj28XDbdJhKrBglVIc4P_gVhKssJhOf60UmF6qCLKlGUhz3CzpYYClYCmhL3kPG4sd2RqNAjt8nFZ4RKmhG5NnIMWhyu2v1hGKansTnxZf4/s640/scoraltreeDuomo.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacular coral piece on display at l’Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence (nfs)</td></tr>
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Red "precious" coral (see first image "Pulchrior in Luce" above) appears a lot in Renaissance art, as the coral is not only beautiful but is reputed to have both healing and protective properties, and it is sometimes seen as a symbol of Christ's blood. Branches of it appear in treasuries and wunderkammers, portraits and altarpieces.<br />
(Latin geeks, please weigh in on the play on words in these two panels' mottos- Lumina vs Luce.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC8L_5r8Qg3YqsOM3G6C2a71nwMIh498d1QyVPn-acaEjkhwuaIosZKkxR7xnY0QYoIjBcFMmREIUuyU-EtV1w4d46J4NA-PzR8VW4zhoKWn4l01ITFqrSrKQk-EICB3U7dce0sLevNI/s1600/ssucco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC8L_5r8Qg3YqsOM3G6C2a71nwMIh498d1QyVPn-acaEjkhwuaIosZKkxR7xnY0QYoIjBcFMmREIUuyU-EtV1w4d46J4NA-PzR8VW4zhoKWn4l01ITFqrSrKQk-EICB3U7dce0sLevNI/s640/ssucco.jpg" width="620" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Suo Succo" - its essense</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSLmyrQfL2yIW2n-X6OIrkOcxeS70QDkD1rhnK5iMahf5mU_MOi5RGV3jhBnwo03TY94C6t1sKJXR_vJRME7NTYSS7BZkxxXtOBtUgxOE46WEMCzejchr7aO7wA2D9eJKDwUxdmKv9lI/s1600/emblemeye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSLmyrQfL2yIW2n-X6OIrkOcxeS70QDkD1rhnK5iMahf5mU_MOi5RGV3jhBnwo03TY94C6t1sKJXR_vJRME7NTYSS7BZkxxXtOBtUgxOE46WEMCzejchr7aO7wA2D9eJKDwUxdmKv9lI/s320/emblemeye.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Visitors to my studio will recognize this emblem which has been tacked to my door for some years.</span></td></tr>
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Each of the soffits has symbolic imagery in the center with a latin motto, resembling the pages of an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblem_book" target="_blank">Emblamata</a> (emblem book) owing in part to the small scale of the individual panels. However, overall they are just pared-down versions of the same compositions used in many larger <a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2015/06/grotesque-obsession-uffizi-east-corridor.html" target="_blank">grottesche ceilings</a>- with a central image or allegorical figure, corner elements oriented towards the center dividing the panel with an "X", and symmetrical but not identical pairings of fantastical beasts and ornamental flora. <br />
Often the grottesche will echo or enhance the central element: the coral tree is surrounded by pearls, shells, and imaginary sea-creatures; a bulb springing to life is surrounded by birds, butterflies and garden trellises arranged in a Maltese Cross configuration. The usual features of the grottesca style are present in masks, birds, vases, harpies and other winged creatures, little garlands and floral scrollwork.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs78qplYwdVEVxhJ2F27NnUDrGJK_cnAXoyn9now8PIOq7zsXa9o8jk8Hi3mzufuFPdBY_8hUNdc2cdweP4vO7NfWg3lO48wJIY_JPt4s4jFSUXLr82_3SXlgtR49-_fpEZ0DUiGQWzG8/s1600/stenet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs78qplYwdVEVxhJ2F27NnUDrGJK_cnAXoyn9now8PIOq7zsXa9o8jk8Hi3mzufuFPdBY_8hUNdc2cdweP4vO7NfWg3lO48wJIY_JPt4s4jFSUXLr82_3SXlgtR49-_fpEZ0DUiGQWzG8/s640/stenet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tenet Usque" ~ Hold constant</td></tr>
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A rudder held straight, surrounded by the four seasons; the face of the sun with 12 rays, burning torches, harpies (one of which appears pregnant), and landscapes; each detail has some meaning assigned to it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcBixkc8_biaDHWBglxWX4lBZaYAhNuUiiZOwSPuqluiNMctCK4lkS7TxAv9RRwvIptLazMGqjJrEBG83_LZf99c9yJ4VWYLS0kuh4frFzJc5pZKT5AVVQM2kUmzTDp4xTKQ-ltsHypc/s1600/somnibus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcBixkc8_biaDHWBglxWX4lBZaYAhNuUiiZOwSPuqluiNMctCK4lkS7TxAv9RRwvIptLazMGqjJrEBG83_LZf99c9yJ4VWYLS0kuh4frFzJc5pZKT5AVVQM2kUmzTDp4xTKQ-ltsHypc/s640/somnibus.jpg" width="628" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Omnibus Idem"~ (the sun shines on) all the same</td></tr>
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The exact meaning of this group of images, whether they all reference a particular source, or if they were designed by a scholar or philosopher, is unknown. I approach such things as a painter first and foremost, but years of studying art history tell me there is an interesting story underneath the beautiful painting. In my more recent research I was thrilled to find a detailed 2015 paper on this ceiling by renowned art historian <a href="http://amzn.to/2kRYyyS" target="_blank">Liana De Girolami Cheney,</a> who clearly knows a lot more about this than I do and has some great insights, but alas, the ornament's true meaning and purpose remains a mystery for now. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmtt7iSqdML-S1rGJ1H_PSp8vygaMgKe-KQe7kSEL8C5lzWCe_ucPmGb-8X5NfoqkZakBGE-l0uk1PWv4wPjXMjcvnPIXX4bUK1r66MFkx3h3R2CHpW_YNK7_NJRKIYNMrzQ8_4vsAxE/s1600/spulchris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmtt7iSqdML-S1rGJ1H_PSp8vygaMgKe-KQe7kSEL8C5lzWCe_ucPmGb-8X5NfoqkZakBGE-l0uk1PWv4wPjXMjcvnPIXX4bUK1r66MFkx3h3R2CHpW_YNK7_NJRKIYNMrzQ8_4vsAxE/s640/spulchris.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ex Pulchris Optima Libant"~ from beauty, the best offer</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfKLMmxRs5A8xDdwzU6rrWk5KEqw3fUaHTBE3qobObnMRpFTh_Qxtp_TZfhWlTUJLKXH1w7tBiWR1jabA5cArJSqcVGCj9sRLDCWAHeNlMS7KyIGiBI8a5chL_MVGq-uBtalApCco12Q/s1600/smirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfKLMmxRs5A8xDdwzU6rrWk5KEqw3fUaHTBE3qobObnMRpFTh_Qxtp_TZfhWlTUJLKXH1w7tBiWR1jabA5cArJSqcVGCj9sRLDCWAHeNlMS7KyIGiBI8a5chL_MVGq-uBtalApCco12Q/s640/smirror.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Te Ipsum" ~ (see) Thy Self</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is it just me or would these make amazing designs for scarves? </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaiHlb_NdvdFy3quXnqWy3itsiVLFy8Jb3pJrP0C-Ksaxwp0w7UCbZLHYUVTUEfcXaphGFdUUij65Ogk_jVtWZFOBiaN2z-6IjtjWqWzSPdBQUUJSbfr1T5Ot9uOIa6gHhXf3yHhlVYI/s1600/mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaiHlb_NdvdFy3quXnqWy3itsiVLFy8Jb3pJrP0C-Ksaxwp0w7UCbZLHYUVTUEfcXaphGFdUUij65Ogk_jVtWZFOBiaN2z-6IjtjWqWzSPdBQUUJSbfr1T5Ot9uOIa6gHhXf3yHhlVYI/s640/mask.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The Palazzo Marzichi-Lenzi is now home to the <a href="http://www.monnalisa.it/" target="_blank">Hotel Monna Lisa </a></i><br />
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<i>all images in this post by Lynne Rutter 2014-2017 </i><br />
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<i>.</i><br />
<br />Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com7Florence, Italy43.7695604 11.2558136000000143.586129400000004 10.93309010000001 43.9529914 11.578537100000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-29397213961935063582017-02-17T02:48:00.000-08:002018-01-07T09:12:51.284-08:00Broken<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzenJUSis2JhJtV_s4VRenfIQadycwwSlP8Y-BAH0GgpFn1ZhEYFrxwrT7yPyHvOiHsY2_DoeJxcpvDJH6HoOR7qZ-Z4150VKjXPDfmYqEYFada4x_c0Gr4MsgaQUP8NQAt5bMPsfuKA/s1600/limpingL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzenJUSis2JhJtV_s4VRenfIQadycwwSlP8Y-BAH0GgpFn1ZhEYFrxwrT7yPyHvOiHsY2_DoeJxcpvDJH6HoOR7qZ-Z4150VKjXPDfmYqEYFada4x_c0Gr4MsgaQUP8NQAt5bMPsfuKA/s640/limpingL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail of a ceiling in the Uffizi</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2017/02/back-in-florence.html" target="_blank">My heart is broken</a>, I said. So is your ankle, he said.<br />
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The ancient cobblestones in this ancient city are famously treacherous. We've had a very interesting week figuring out how to navigate with a wheelchair; how to manage 135 stone steps up to our flat on crutches; and how to rest a camera on a crutch while photographing a ceiling.<br />
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The universe is telling me to slow down and look where I am going. One stone step at a time.<br />
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<br />Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-52876836797929924682017-02-12T11:08:00.000-08:002018-08-12T22:11:43.450-07:00Back in Florence<i>In which we go back, in order to go forward.</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7Ld6DHkpgAtYoHYvwxI8ANknF1jUe8eV2q2ZlYMg44gHlTi6-0mEU-1uavK3pSORMzsS33u0WPXL0X5geVTNc4gB9W29DorO399c2GTrDOxpedr-Kh-tiO8e_2BvDScB_PaR_q_s3x8/s1600/sruinswwii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7Ld6DHkpgAtYoHYvwxI8ANknF1jUe8eV2q2ZlYMg44gHlTi6-0mEU-1uavK3pSORMzsS33u0WPXL0X5geVTNc4gB9W29DorO399c2GTrDOxpedr-Kh-tiO8e_2BvDScB_PaR_q_s3x8/s640/sruinswwii.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ceiling panel in the Ufizzi Galleries, depicting the destruction of Florence by retreating Nazi troops at the end of WWII. </td></tr>
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I was trying to recall the last time I was truly happy. I think it was three years ago, before all this happened. I had spent a year planning my sabbatical in Florence, and then learned my father had cancer. His treatment was encouraging, and so we were encouraged to go. "What else are you going to do?" my father asked me "sit around here and watch me drool?" And so we passed three months in a rainy Tuscan winter, while I sought out material for my book. When I called each morning, my father assured me that despite any rumors of his demise, he was not yet dead. He and my mother were genuinely interested in what I was doing, shared their own travel stories, asked me for specific photos, told me their news, sometimes bad news. <br />
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We made the most of our time, well aware of how limited it was.<br />
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Later that year, my father died. And then all too soon after that, my mother got cancer, and all too soon she also died. My family had to move out of their home in what felt like a terrific hurry. During all this I could see the avalanche coming and I knew I could not outrun it. And so I let it wash over me, and bury me, and bury my ambitions and my dreams and my joy, and pretty much everything else. Every movement required immense effort and caused incredible pain. And so I just stayed there under all that grief, living each moment of it in great detail, until I could no longer breathe.<br />
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Where was I before that? In Florence I think it was, three years ago. And here I am again.<br />
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<br />Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-66337499236591329012016-07-11T01:43:00.000-07:002016-07-11T01:43:12.036-07:00The Hermitage: four times in a week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: large;">In which we make repeated visits to the world's most fabulous museum and find we are not a bit jaded.</span></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx54BK0y78WRo_Bbw101rXSQvIe05v_p8q3GKWPrxIokahZ33aFs_OV6yOu6ryOT_d6f6f13A3C6GHwEu8wuDVOQiVES72mFd3B4Go_P4-rygkBcPoh6nd5wpngdw9vxKAzMLCY9Sh55g/s1600/canovaroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx54BK0y78WRo_Bbw101rXSQvIe05v_p8q3GKWPrxIokahZ33aFs_OV6yOu6ryOT_d6f6f13A3C6GHwEu8wuDVOQiVES72mFd3B4Go_P4-rygkBcPoh6nd5wpngdw9vxKAzMLCY9Sh55g/s640/canovaroom1.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting" in the Hermitage, St. Petersburg.</td></tr>
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had the good fortune to attend the International <b><a href="http://www.salon2016-stpetersburg.com/" target="_blank">Salon</a> </b>of Decorative Painters, held this year in St. Petersburg, Russia. This annual gathering attracts many of the finest painters in my field, from dozens of countries and several continents, and this time was well-attended by incredibly skilled Russian artists as well. The venue for this e<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">vent</span>, the <i>Exhibition Center for the St.Petersburg Union of Artists</i>, is a short walk to one of the greatest museums in the world, the Hermitage. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Like other major museums, the Uffizi, the Met, the Louvre, it cannot be done in one visit, it's too overwhelming. So I popped over every chance I got. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">T</span>he <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hermitage</span> is <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">open late on Wednesdays and Fridays.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The museum is famous for its </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">prodigious art collection, the Rubens paintings and sketches, and <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">countless </span>masterpieces of European art, but as usual, I was staring at the ceilings, walls, huge malachite urns, marquetry floors- because this building is first and foremost one of the most gloriously decorated palaces in the world.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRM3dwC5pIgRmO2taYBH7y5rNv1EjD5p_6nzqesaLQt0djzpxOp67obVsujpdlh5ww1b2EI47KA1bHXSgbrtuJnwq4OXhxcvJ-ZcWBM8eOSKlwKg9p69CrQS3A2Ml-DeJ1pwYZsXYK54/s1600/extertior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRM3dwC5pIgRmO2taYBH7y5rNv1EjD5p_6nzqesaLQt0djzpxOp67obVsujpdlh5ww1b2EI47KA1bHXSgbrtuJnwq4OXhxcvJ-ZcWBM8eOSKlwKg9p69CrQS3A2Ml-DeJ1pwYZsXYK54/s640/extertior.jpg" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Exterior of the Hermitage, painted with a distinctive and inspiring malachite green, ochre, and white color scheme</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></td></tr>
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Just as in the (amazing film) Russian Ark, even the most organized tour through the Winter Palace will prove bewildering. The decor alone encompasses 300 years of Russian History. The collections reach through millennia. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoo5lxf0VS2j46yGOWvgHpDFpKpBaHiWGJ_uzUV4r3O_rS7tyoQ4LTPavdd-hdS04mYKQ3tQizDnnA3YEZrrQRXXweRHeBJonagYIqayNHwBZvgptY6Hxte7bcCve35JDmblXBE3lTPOU/s640/redluxe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="476" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I forget what this room is for. Let's ring for tea, shall we?</td></tr>
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Rococo styled rooms give way to Neoclassical spaces and "Russian Empire" style, and everything in between. Some interiors are pure fantasy. I loved it. Every minute of it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbp8si4UOCB5ORsCDZyoPdN6pUh-L3q0joEYctHiR03DzxBmuV-DegmY-HzpFUn5muL3sGcS7TFdJcQw1cozrKkPlafMMKjXprBvmN7cArvbO7VlDRdyoD50qBxRRjh2aR71B451ttHs/s1600/silverroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbp8si4UOCB5ORsCDZyoPdN6pUh-L3q0joEYctHiR03DzxBmuV-DegmY-HzpFUn5muL3sGcS7TFdJcQw1cozrKkPlafMMKjXprBvmN7cArvbO7VlDRdyoD50qBxRRjh2aR71B451ttHs/s640/silverroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ceiling detail from the lovely blue and white room used as the "silver cabinet"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeWJeCOFQu8eiuSIojqgIjMd6hKHbRW2nSgaAvn3w2k6PyHDRQOKDvqFKaEeExuPvr-rOIOz4MDBmwNWpusvVS5y4Z2sgb958loEt-XtLCwpymRLfOQUXJPnHzvDKxW5AEuExj-TNllU/s1600/goldwalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeWJeCOFQu8eiuSIojqgIjMd6hKHbRW2nSgaAvn3w2k6PyHDRQOKDvqFKaEeExuPvr-rOIOz4MDBmwNWpusvVS5y4Z2sgb958loEt-XtLCwpymRLfOQUXJPnHzvDKxW5AEuExj-TNllU/s640/goldwalls.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walls covered in gold leaf need plenty of candlelight to show it all off</td></tr>
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In every space, gilding of a particular rosy color of gold leaf is used to great effect. OK I admit, in some cases, maybe it's over-used. Nevertheless, the sheer level of craft is awe-inspiring. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINZtExvltNg-rKWDy_YGGcjn4oflpku4afrBtReKVgdn8IK-sHDJZ9n_phcF_TwihGiyEmQmYnv-kyssAC2PbGibwUgNMYUciUQ-1O_xuYQefVpdtZ7Zcj5mkKmBlOlJ1XT8oj7_aFdY/s1600/armorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINZtExvltNg-rKWDy_YGGcjn4oflpku4afrBtReKVgdn8IK-sHDJZ9n_phcF_TwihGiyEmQmYnv-kyssAC2PbGibwUgNMYUciUQ-1O_xuYQefVpdtZ7Zcj5mkKmBlOlJ1XT8oj7_aFdY/s640/armorial.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nice example of Russian Neoclassicism in this trompe l'oeil ceiling</td></tr>
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The Empire style found a great place in Russian design. Large quantities of malachite were mined in the Ural Mountains and the famous Ural mosaic techniques were used to create columns, table tops, giant urns. A fairly liberal use of this intense green stone made for some eye-popping Empire interiors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yNqsH65QQwc817a8AkCYZZ8OXc4IL1C0815uy1sm1y-ECvBZPGzPXP3B_8LyVLZ5XjbcYO_6zAy5CYU8_JzqWvDvUwp2iDkl6kHYQbqeqe_qeW_pRasZzvuaRDd6zHTChqtKbBhnTBA/s1600/malachiteroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yNqsH65QQwc817a8AkCYZZ8OXc4IL1C0815uy1sm1y-ECvBZPGzPXP3B_8LyVLZ5XjbcYO_6zAy5CYU8_JzqWvDvUwp2iDkl6kHYQbqeqe_qeW_pRasZzvuaRDd6zHTChqtKbBhnTBA/s640/malachiteroom1.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold and Malachite go so well together</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAgC0oOjkDtSywcWJPK7GDKdiVzwnTgH7gql38FHr3s_m7Unxb800n1zoMWwqZautaIp0GbG7L7SuN3lA2rXjuCOeED2z1Wy1z-JRju5NG0U9gyWt7-vSx8C6jtgGHolLLCRCwOV7xw8/s1600/MalachiteRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAgC0oOjkDtSywcWJPK7GDKdiVzwnTgH7gql38FHr3s_m7Unxb800n1zoMWwqZautaIp0GbG7L7SuN3lA2rXjuCOeED2z1Wy1z-JRju5NG0U9gyWt7-vSx8C6jtgGHolLLCRCwOV7xw8/s640/MalachiteRoom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of the Malachite Room of the Hermitage, as painted by Constantine Andreyevich Ukhtomsky in 1885 <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>image via hermitage.org </i></span></td></tr>
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One of my favorite rooms is the"Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting." A long hall which houses a collection of white marble figures by Italian sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822) and his followers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1UIv_-7CwP4Ryb3drihqm3jP4pK45qGO-gMrqXb_rUxxsORgXnu_C0AQ2R92Q9b0wzdLiJ5AWUd3aqUedRlyI6y_4xVoOyYcLWqdu_JGj7m2VIul0ZPLGnWKOGIFVstI12UlojtyrKQ/s1600/canovagallery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1UIv_-7CwP4Ryb3drihqm3jP4pK45qGO-gMrqXb_rUxxsORgXnu_C0AQ2R92Q9b0wzdLiJ5AWUd3aqUedRlyI6y_4xVoOyYcLWqdu_JGj7m2VIul0ZPLGnWKOGIFVstI12UlojtyrKQ/s640/canovagallery2.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"The Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting" neoclassical design by </span>Leo von Klenze</span></td></tr>
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The walls and ceilings of the gallery are decorated with grottesca (or grotesque) ornament in a vaguely Pompeiian scheme. Insets panels of encaustic paintings on brass plaques by Georg Hiltensperger are meant to illustrate ancient painting techniques.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JzZO95GhUXReHsHRmfOnpD5vn1RU-l_-KH41Ske1xNIGuVuZobf9IVTOYZSDLhToN-X_-vpxsgfEkDDvxqI8r-UYJNIoM379DyeHCfQkw4QGEy6XH59gZs4Hwv7JlohjVbna3Ac5ojA/s1600/canovagal3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JzZO95GhUXReHsHRmfOnpD5vn1RU-l_-KH41Ske1xNIGuVuZobf9IVTOYZSDLhToN-X_-vpxsgfEkDDvxqI8r-UYJNIoM379DyeHCfQkw4QGEy6XH59gZs4Hwv7JlohjVbna3Ac5ojA/s640/canovagal3.jpg" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Encaustic paintings by Georg Hiltensperger depict ancient painting techniques.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmXrFwDaW_QFfSpq_M_h3yKVt6pgrsl__iohd1zhEgGMoh7z-4piVqAgWE4eCbAfZNYG2pSgYW8Z_liwFiVjd2BsgKHbJyx4oEes4X-eLzzrGdk6QHLxw9Qu4ZleigkEAVFVL94fFobg/s1600/russian-ark-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqmXrFwDaW_QFfSpq_M_h3yKVt6pgrsl__iohd1zhEgGMoh7z-4piVqAgWE4eCbAfZNYG2pSgYW8Z_liwFiVjd2BsgKHbJyx4oEes4X-eLzzrGdk6QHLxw9Qu4ZleigkEAVFVL94fFobg/s1600/russian-ark-2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Still from the film "Russian Ark" in which the Stranger wanders into the Raphael Loggia</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The most breathtaking space of all<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">,</span> has to be the gallery known as the Raphael Loggia<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. D</span>esigned by Giacomo Quarenghi and painted by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cristopher_Unterberger" title="Cristopher Unterberger">Cristopher Unterberger</a> and his workshop in the 1780s, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the loggia was commissi<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">oned by Catherin<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">e</span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">he</span> G<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">r</span>eat</span> </span></span>as a replica of the <a href="http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1339085?eng=y" target="_blank">Vatican Loggia</a> in Rome, originally frescoed by Raphael and his atelier in<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">1512</span>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxbiI3VPneimeWmQMFjTUYt2Lr_qrrqFVOL_5C4e2UJkz2DAxwx-EMvhCGbp2Vq88A0l0bI53DrXxex9gNG61MZXUgLyqUDCB67gk_0jy_SBpJ_lPNo7EVaDOQ6_f5w7znbXVTiwy2ss/s1600/loggia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxbiI3VPneimeWmQMFjTUYt2Lr_qrrqFVOL_5C4e2UJkz2DAxwx-EMvhCGbp2Vq88A0l0bI53DrXxex9gNG61MZXUgLyqUDCB67gk_0jy_SBpJ_lPNo7EVaDOQ6_f5w7znbXVTiwy2ss/s640/loggia1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Raphael Loggia in the Hermitage</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHX8I3vyn9IHJGJWCkqfPN2DgE8HZeIVUIDzij3zJAjGZVaoNckD-cegMdppx3J_xrcSELhyphenhypheny29pywO9faKN5yYr4wRhxx6NkBWGN2EkXryZoOt_Vsxu8M7TL2A65bo5Ufh0tkzS0Rz8/s1600/loggiasquirrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHX8I3vyn9IHJGJWCkqfPN2DgE8HZeIVUIDzij3zJAjGZVaoNckD-cegMdppx3J_xrcSELhyphenhypheny29pywO9faKN5yYr4wRhxx6NkBWGN2EkXryZoOt_Vsxu8M7TL2A65bo5Ufh0tkzS0Rz8/s640/loggiasquirrel.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Grottesca detail of the Rapahel Loggia of the Hermitage</span></td></tr>
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These paintings are of course clean and new looking, but by most accounts they are a faithful and direct copies of the Vatican originals, having been painted on site using tempera on canvas. The canvases were then sent to St. Petersburg for installation. Mirrors replace the Vatican windows, reflecting the northern light. And then there is that rosy color of gold trimming each panel. The magic of this scene is difficult to describe. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG0z7kJ5kmlrIG4Z42TFhHRgtF6WqhxxfgeylEf5IOR-pTvCFny9mikHYlUilxMD2NGRgOG0xcBuv-BpSUHsSUAbFUSCDfNCl9hVd2rXQNpzOUwKzkmVyinlN5TEIQKOXSXWfH_R_6as/s1600/loggia2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG0z7kJ5kmlrIG4Z42TFhHRgtF6WqhxxfgeylEf5IOR-pTvCFny9mikHYlUilxMD2NGRgOG0xcBuv-BpSUHsSUAbFUSCDfNCl9hVd2rXQNpzOUwKzkmVyinlN5TEIQKOXSXWfH_R_6as/s640/loggia2.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hermitage Raphael Loggia</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR747YBQLv_BR-yjtxw-Q6tlDrPOxOkShZu2kBcYzsZUrTbGpoan6I4SxKN9sIG28MURxGkRBHfsxqw3XMFa84uowJ58OXZ9edJYUPH-4NL5alrxFazsSgRnnZhK8mrLc5FhPkpMnNrs/s1600/craw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR747YBQLv_BR-yjtxw-Q6tlDrPOxOkShZu2kBcYzsZUrTbGpoan6I4SxKN9sIG28MURxGkRBHfsxqw3XMFa84uowJ58OXZ9edJYUPH-4NL5alrxFazsSgRnnZhK8mrLc5FhPkpMnNrs/s640/craw.jpg" width="562" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The jawbone of an ass- detail in the Raphael Loggia, Hermitage</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd-2zmjb0mXMLhcoD52zl6orrJKuZJn3KeCdQVyYH3qa9EOzaYKmvrBcOiZoSHxQ_-J-Dns1E0vK4bFmrWbaerzZ_B_EJtp0Vpi7hz7-HOfH4yUCVaYAJGya228Tl4XLoRjU6D-VpL3A/s1600/loggiabear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYd-2zmjb0mXMLhcoD52zl6orrJKuZJn3KeCdQVyYH3qa9EOzaYKmvrBcOiZoSHxQ_-J-Dns1E0vK4bFmrWbaerzZ_B_EJtp0Vpi7hz7-HOfH4yUCVaYAJGya228Tl4XLoRjU6D-VpL3A/s400/loggiabear.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Grottesca detail- from 1512 to the 1780s</span> </td></tr>
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The <a href="https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/" target="_blank">Hermitage Museum website </a>has many lovely images, including 360 degree panoramas of entire rooms in their "virtual visit" feature.<br />
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21st century decorative artists:<br />
Photos from <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnerutter/sets/72157670898054025" target="_blank">Salon 2016 at Flickr</a><br />
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<i>All photos in this post by Lynne Rutter unless otherwise noted, May 2016. Click on images to view larger.</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a> </i></span> </div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-48686005287277784332016-07-02T19:01:00.002-07:002022-08-26T00:12:50.786-07:00A visit to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTrofssS8Zmv71zPtqW7b2H5-JLXMz9vBXSNIcwefApSkPSMjRpBnyydqI2I1DWCYSWnscxDPoAH5XlZwgReFXlhyg3rp5dfBlvWUDPYg0kVX4iykJYFSeQR9KtoSm16hMLA_NW8FF0o/s1600/sDAscenic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTrofssS8Zmv71zPtqW7b2H5-JLXMz9vBXSNIcwefApSkPSMjRpBnyydqI2I1DWCYSWnscxDPoAH5XlZwgReFXlhyg3rp5dfBlvWUDPYg0kVX4iykJYFSeQR9KtoSm16hMLA_NW8FF0o/s640/sDAscenic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a breathtaking monumental "papier peint panoramique" by Desfossé, 1855</td></tr>
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One of my favorite places to visit in Paris is the spectacular<b><a href="http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://madparis.fr/musee-des-arts-decoratifs" target="_blank"><i>Musée des Arts Décoratifs</i></a></b>, a comprehensive collection of the best of French design: objects, architectural and applied arts from the middle ages to the present day. Generally uncrowded and serene, the museum is housed in the western wing of the Louvre, the beautiful Pavillon de Marsan, designed by architect <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaston_Redon" target="_blank">Gaston Redon</a> in 1905.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKx-Xv_lZWipic9X78568xXZ69yZyvwKAYxx7PPk6UgwJ_bdTZtco370oINENcw14BW_Uvx8Bz0FWY_DisZBhjc08ibIVoodNh9jyUQr5zvL9_3uKWvMjqYQpZqzEDLeVRXwDmAfA354/s1600/sDAcourtyard.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKx-Xv_lZWipic9X78568xXZ69yZyvwKAYxx7PPk6UgwJ_bdTZtco370oINENcw14BW_Uvx8Bz0FWY_DisZBhjc08ibIVoodNh9jyUQr5zvL9_3uKWvMjqYQpZqzEDLeVRXwDmAfA354/s640/sDAcourtyard.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely interior court of the Musée des Arts Decoratifs (image via MAD)</td></tr>
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Like the <a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Victorian and Albert</a> in London, the <a href="http://www.mak.at/e/jetzt/f_jetzt.htm" target="_blank">MAK</a> <i> (Museum fur Angewandte Kunst)</i> in Vienna, and the <a href="http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/" target="_blank">Legion of Honor </a>in San Francisco,<i> les Arts Décoratifs</i><b> </b> celebrates the finest work in applied arts, but this museum is decidedly French, and notable for the depth and breadth of its collection.<br />
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Seemingly every possible decorative technique, material, or type of object can be found in the vast Arts Décoratifs inventories: tapestry, escritoire, eglomisé, shagreen, scenic wallpaper, jewelry, stained glass, wood, lacquer, plastic, and gold… but far from mind-boggling the collections are carefully edited and displayed chronologically, to encourage understanding of both the techniques used and the application of them. Meanwhile there are thousands of beautiful inspiring moments in each room.<br />
Here are some highlights from my visit in October 2011.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiv7eHvkoKXNmZ0xfJyBho_BijReytlrOZ-6qioiiuQbUU7xYPvDy4T5KCCbTxbxRpHvzJzuTQzbrHuqMkkD_3tFnztnHn1w3SVuutcyqJnwwYBa-OOVg_9QXbvasWcLpvesDvX0YI5w/s1600/sDAboiserie1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiv7eHvkoKXNmZ0xfJyBho_BijReytlrOZ-6qioiiuQbUU7xYPvDy4T5KCCbTxbxRpHvzJzuTQzbrHuqMkkD_3tFnztnHn1w3SVuutcyqJnwwYBa-OOVg_9QXbvasWcLpvesDvX0YI5w/s640/sDAboiserie1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Cabinet des Fables" from the hôtel Dangé, Paris 1755 (repainted 1855) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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Two adjoining rooms of boiserie taken from the hôtel Dangé on the Place Vendome, are displayed as one room here (you can see the gilt room in the mirror)- these really were meant to be small, intimate painted spaces.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fGBpNWEJVokjU42jkzZiCE7jxpxMQT8iYur7KLVvLrg7Z0dZrS1xhRrJ516i9l97KQ8-7uuo9HWENMqYtCHQ374tvc2SPV6Q9XQ-lTw6-uK3y0xITypsczsGK9mAP7TdD_Df1bPBSDI/s1600/sDAchinoispanels.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9fGBpNWEJVokjU42jkzZiCE7jxpxMQT8iYur7KLVvLrg7Z0dZrS1xhRrJ516i9l97KQ8-7uuo9HWENMqYtCHQ374tvc2SPV6Q9XQ-lTw6-uK3y0xITypsczsGK9mAP7TdD_Df1bPBSDI/s640/sDAchinoispanels.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a display of chinoiserie furnishings dating from the 17th century</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBH2jSHvQZIFqG08rtwA5IIIljoT4o5j8IdOOo3iuzE6VubtBQFE-ldQ0acuKvi7KEJAR6g2aNjkazheLT5g8WZFxpn3W8rz7cCjYXjsmDtTsKNFT1wnW992tjuJTAoLw3jubMfhMSh0/s1600/sDAcabinet.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBH2jSHvQZIFqG08rtwA5IIIljoT4o5j8IdOOo3iuzE6VubtBQFE-ldQ0acuKvi7KEJAR6g2aNjkazheLT5g8WZFxpn3W8rz7cCjYXjsmDtTsKNFT1wnW992tjuJTAoLw3jubMfhMSh0/s640/sDAcabinet.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
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A small gilt "cabinet" room from l’hôtel de Rochegude à Avignon, 1720. Oui.</div>
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Photography in the museum is allowed without a flash, but many of the rooms are kept very dim to protect the fabrics and delicate surfaces. Despair not, the <i>MAD</i> has an excellent database of images of its collection <a href="https://madparis.fr/Parcours" target="_blank">on its </a><a href="https://madparis.fr/musee-des-arts-decoratifs" target="_blank">website</a>. Not only that, but the MAD bookshop at 107 Rue de Rivoli is outrageous. It is filled with fabulous books on your favorite subjects, all of them loaded with great pictures. Hard as you might try, you won’t be able to carry all the books out with you. Make note of the ISBN# so you can search for the books when you get home. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeOGELoFjr4-ghrWnzMJP_EIggAxnak8hztkXxotCKZdrnbCck3lhRyQWyHrpM1pfDLt1Bq0xWwzKArtXae1HXDpMZ-fYLWis39sypw6krg_WM7w5SMn6UGzL51TqxGrNL-F4anpv2Gg/s1600/sDAdoor.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeOGELoFjr4-ghrWnzMJP_EIggAxnak8hztkXxotCKZdrnbCck3lhRyQWyHrpM1pfDLt1Bq0xWwzKArtXae1HXDpMZ-fYLWis39sypw6krg_WM7w5SMn6UGzL51TqxGrNL-F4anpv2Gg/s640/sDAdoor.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wood doors decorated with gilt grotesque ornament, from the 15th century</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZGumsxDiXXWrNWKliG5vCycm7BmnMTwSi936bAcNRsQiFwINu6WSCg_exk-HtLZgrYLElEeoMnC5c94-o-sZwnkLfTep6p9v1mo2vWB-Yfzydb0TMXTQmk96SgXMCZZbMYMMCrN3eIg/s1600/sDAegyptianrev.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZGumsxDiXXWrNWKliG5vCycm7BmnMTwSi936bAcNRsQiFwINu6WSCg_exk-HtLZgrYLElEeoMnC5c94-o-sZwnkLfTep6p9v1mo2vWB-Yfzydb0TMXTQmk96SgXMCZZbMYMMCrN3eIg/s640/sDAegyptianrev.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salon de l’hôtel Talairac, circa 1790</td></tr>
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One of the many period roomsets on display at the MAD, the Salon de l’hôtel Talairac, circa 1790, is an early example of Egyptian theme interior design, which eventually became an all-out fad in the early 19th century.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdKGv0bZcldT6bvEtolo4CTQZneqkM_57OGTsk20uCSTGhAM4FGvLYG8rm-rA7rIsQLxGje_WBAANwinlIPKc-wjynCUxYhfaHpPx1fyKGXxn12wXRqJosHxlApEsZQ1ONMl96XQVlLQ/s1600/sDALPbedroom.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdKGv0bZcldT6bvEtolo4CTQZneqkM_57OGTsk20uCSTGhAM4FGvLYG8rm-rA7rIsQLxGje_WBAANwinlIPKc-wjynCUxYhfaHpPx1fyKGXxn12wXRqJosHxlApEsZQ1ONMl96XQVlLQ/s640/sDALPbedroom.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail from a Renaissance-Revival bedchamber, circa 1840</td></tr>
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The boiserie decoration from the Renaissance-Revival bedchamber of Baron Hope is not typical for the Louis-Phillipe-era France. To me it seems more English Victorian. Have a look at the rest of the room <a href="https://madparis.fr/boiserie-de-la-chambre-a-coucher" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno0hij2ryJw58tDc_r7RYNPzqoKhYxdriD8M1NnPK327lcW3W79QYAeauRdyZ0iaN9QMgHrT_7AYRhfGx6K8hoZmzTpnihM3qF7_J_kSDZrZspGLqOR1U-fJYtsk2TDL9odP91_OWZZw/s1600/sDAmirroreglomise.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhno0hij2ryJw58tDc_r7RYNPzqoKhYxdriD8M1NnPK327lcW3W79QYAeauRdyZ0iaN9QMgHrT_7AYRhfGx6K8hoZmzTpnihM3qF7_J_kSDZrZspGLqOR1U-fJYtsk2TDL9odP91_OWZZw/s640/sDAmirroreglomise.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail of a verre églomisé mirror frame. Gasp!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Detail of an entire wall of embossed leather, silver-gilt and amber-varnished to look like gold. circa 1600</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM31sX-44rTrA-aq8L7qQR1X6MbXKXYDmVxGRyN2D9ypmNCFp0DyHoe7JhktRgz3XpaZEnUgp5oRcIuw08kN3rXQMxu1qRN_ku2TN-Uqg2Mdgn-ShM8kFkh-sIzAInTTHqjzs1yEtpow/s1600/sDAleather.jpg"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAM31sX-44rTrA-aq8L7qQR1X6MbXKXYDmVxGRyN2D9ypmNCFp0DyHoe7JhktRgz3XpaZEnUgp5oRcIuw08kN3rXQMxu1qRN_ku2TN-Uqg2Mdgn-ShM8kFkh-sIzAInTTHqjzs1yEtpow/s640/sDAleather.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgYK8V0_E-VpAcCsst90Z_SpMYuvNW0lamcQki5RZku46JUPRljJCTai1s2co4TtGmomgsfZ2oSlL1vXq8B8YrQ8yHld7X08GnodKqcf-KS_wjBiN0Iez7SJT_iZ1CwJRSSXwBb77_cg/s1600/sDAmarquetry.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgYK8V0_E-VpAcCsst90Z_SpMYuvNW0lamcQki5RZku46JUPRljJCTai1s2co4TtGmomgsfZ2oSlL1vXq8B8YrQ8yHld7X08GnodKqcf-KS_wjBiN0Iez7SJT_iZ1CwJRSSXwBb77_cg/s640/sDAmarquetry.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail of a splendid marquetry cabinet, made in 1670. I could stare at this all day.</td></tr>
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One of the most fabulous room sets in this museum is the private apartment of Jeanne Lanvin. Designed by Armand Albert Rateau and built in 1925, it’s the ultimate feminine Art Deco interior.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikarXsdbNv_EGOeObpP3LiKkzOl_ljQRo2iELF43nOHib25FT6Jlp2md94Vupey30jDwqo6sFxbzegxe0NxjiZN91KhkA1FGadVXogiA5lgybOXkpzZ8IH72Ttj02DcbWz7EKbDUOjhwI/s1600/sDAscreen.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikarXsdbNv_EGOeObpP3LiKkzOl_ljQRo2iELF43nOHib25FT6Jlp2md94Vupey30jDwqo6sFxbzegxe0NxjiZN91KhkA1FGadVXogiA5lgybOXkpzZ8IH72Ttj02DcbWz7EKbDUOjhwI/s640/sDAscreen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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The famous gilt and lacquered screen from Jeanne Lanvin's dining room is nearly 11 feet high, and was designed by Armand Albert Rateau, circa 1921 </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1YB06NkCfnoaFU4AerZQT2Fz8Mwe3HzfbhNwbKDNfrZUlSszxa_XMX5ziQjpzUGl-WvIa-CwB1zep7H6Z4Qfx7lUzrw7qdgH1ayhXonuL2JYXWd5wSdbwGg6S6TMhSEvOTTp9ZfakkE/s1600/Lanvin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1YB06NkCfnoaFU4AerZQT2Fz8Mwe3HzfbhNwbKDNfrZUlSszxa_XMX5ziQjpzUGl-WvIa-CwB1zep7H6Z4Qfx7lUzrw7qdgH1ayhXonuL2JYXWd5wSdbwGg6S6TMhSEvOTTp9ZfakkE/s640/Lanvin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedroom of Jeanne Lanvin, designed by Armand-Albert Rateau (image via MAD) </td></tr>
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The fabric in the <a href="https://madparis.fr/la-chambre-a-coucher-de-jeanne-lanvin" target="_blank">private apartments of Jeanne Lanvin</a>, a custom blue silk embroidered with cotton and copper thread, is newly recreated and was all done by hand.</div>
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When you go:<br />
Be sure to visit the Art Nouveau and Art Deco rooms, as well as the very interesting mid and late 20th century design rooms in the attic spaces of the pavillion.<br />
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Other tips:<br />
The <i>Mode et Textile</i> Museum is just next door.<br />
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The Rue du Rivoli can be crowded and dirty. It’s so much more stylish to arrive via the Carrousel entrance. And be sure to dress fabulously, so you can have a bite at the <i>Saut de Loup</i>, the chic cafe on the terrace facing the Carrousel Gardens.<br />
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<i>all images in this post by Lynne Rutter unless otherwise noted. Click on images to view larger.</i></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-27161106256306933932016-03-03T16:36:00.001-08:002019-12-01T20:04:01.337-08:00Grotesque Obsession: The Art of Carolina d'Ayala Valva<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8qTvEwNf6Cb7_VGLZ5ntxZkemwWufvuqdg1XHL2VA16lBT8m_C398ecZVSgh0kty3Nm1FK3xJgET2kFI-bOFPr00t_ACa02CXKjBAjneHHfEGFmzAOnEjjwoa1IGpyx0uPV2tZ-PWJ8/s1600/Ninashomerunner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8qTvEwNf6Cb7_VGLZ5ntxZkemwWufvuqdg1XHL2VA16lBT8m_C398ecZVSgh0kty3Nm1FK3xJgET2kFI-bOFPr00t_ACa02CXKjBAjneHHfEGFmzAOnEjjwoa1IGpyx0uPV2tZ-PWJ8/s640/Ninashomerunner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>linen table runner by Carolina d'Ayala Valva for Nina's Home Artists for Textiles</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JiOk0IiLApLM63yHJablcmGRHITIwfY01xq-yA-2GCWSURdu6oOIDs56Q6CXeq80EvUs4zxxKSrudcPK7bj1Z6MvkO9uFt3c1znZ_uC_skU-N06ULgMOEFK8AmOoD2dDiVnWCIBG43U/s1600/NinasHome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JiOk0IiLApLM63yHJablcmGRHITIwfY01xq-yA-2GCWSURdu6oOIDs56Q6CXeq80EvUs4zxxKSrudcPK7bj1Z6MvkO9uFt3c1znZ_uC_skU-N06ULgMOEFK8AmOoD2dDiVnWCIBG43U/s400/NinasHome.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">recent designs from<i> Nina's Home Artists for Textiles</i></td></tr>
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For more than 20 years, <b>Carolina d’Ayala Valva</b> and her partner <b>Walter Cipriani</b> have been decorating interiors from their atelier in the historical center of Rome. Carolina has become known as a modern-day champion of <i>Grottesca</i> (also called grotesque), a style of ornament first made popular by the Renaissance artist Raphael, and literally <a href="http://amzn.to/2cEpaPc" target="_blank">wrote the book</a> on the techniques and use of this historic form. Walter excels at the important and age-old techniques of scagliola, and this talented couple are highly in-demand for decorating prestigious interiors from Rome to Paris to St. Petersburg.<br />
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I met them at the <a href="http://salonforever.se/" target="_blank"><b>Salon</b></a>, an international gathering of decorative artists who meet in a different city each year. What impressed me most wasn't just the mastery <span style="font-size: small;">of historic techniques, but the fresh and relevant way these techniques are </span>being used in their work. <br />
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Recently, the famous French wallpaper manufacture <b>Zuber </b>commissioned new wallpaper designs from each of them, which has in turn led to the creation of a new line of fabrics and accessories for interiors, cushions, lampshades, and table linens are printed on natural fibres, entirely made in Italy.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ1l1dfujGvVQ9oMBusSt5kLMD6oyis5qPqHrsKpEYoYSVgL_lT8hz3TxsEGSzEiY2GlLVuaC_tzsXTsQP4HXj7Ja28U2iYtv8ua-CzU3OTWsPXuM7HIYXgFUB2Ddq-7tZFtfN7fAO08/s1600/Carolina1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZ1l1dfujGvVQ9oMBusSt5kLMD6oyis5qPqHrsKpEYoYSVgL_lT8hz3TxsEGSzEiY2GlLVuaC_tzsXTsQP4HXj7Ja28U2iYtv8ua-CzU3OTWsPXuM7HIYXgFUB2Ddq-7tZFtfN7fAO08/s640/Carolina1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Carolina in her studio</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUe0wSV-zqIPfQ9h4l5ikpuvOGfQeIL5GyJkEcofGWKcH1waZU4w_j8rO3QHvqXnozyCr8GTzaS_O_2myFqpFixPjwjMBQwlewaRfHBzDCyF1aBN-uqBv587vUqnKqQqwoHywcQTb8PY/s1600/+carolina3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUe0wSV-zqIPfQ9h4l5ikpuvOGfQeIL5GyJkEcofGWKcH1waZU4w_j8rO3QHvqXnozyCr8GTzaS_O_2myFqpFixPjwjMBQwlewaRfHBzDCyF1aBN-uqBv587vUqnKqQqwoHywcQTb8PY/s640/+carolina3.jpg" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Grottesca candelabra panel</span></i></td></tr>
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Carolina d’Ayala Valva is also a highly skilled and sought-after teacher of painted ornament, and I have invited her to my studio in San Francisco for a <b><a href="http://www.lynnerutter.com/classes.php?class=32" target="_blank">week-long workshop</a> </b>on the art of Grottesca later this year.<br />
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Here she is interviewed for The Ornamentalist. Get to know the work of this exceptional decorative artist!</div>
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<i>Please tell me about your education and training. How did you learn to paint like this?</i>
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I did not start my professional career as a decorative painter, but as an architect.
Architecture was not my first choice, but an alternative to my desire to attend the Academy of Fine Arts. However, it is thanks to the long university studies that I have design discipline, which is also very useful in my work as a decorator. So in the end, I'm a self-taught.</div>
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<i>
Was there any one person or place that inspired you to become a decorative artist?
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Living in Rome, surrounded by a unique artistic context in the world, inspired me deeply. It’s especially here that I could cultivate my passion for the “Grotesque” design.
Our Atelier (L’Artelier-Roma) was two steps from the Vatican City and, in the past, I have often had the chance to see up close the Grotesque decorations in the halls of the Vatican Museums and the <a href="http://amzn.to/1SlNjvG" target="_blank">loggia of Raphael</a>, which are the first and most famous in the world. I have been able to admire the beauty, the harmony of the colors and the fast but masterful brushstrokes of the artist.
For all this I consider myself lucky.
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<i><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over time, though I was immersed in a wonderful classical context, I tried to develop a very personal style, both in the use of the color and in the design’s style. I also love to try more contemporary sources of inspiration that can be anywhere in the life of every day, inserting modern elements in the classic structures.</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">~ Carolina d'Ayala Valva </span></i></span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NTPsD0gVrAmkedRc-RbKH1zTGlnRDYf0VnOGr2LgG2C-oUlohT1gxz0PFo9KHEpQGBxr1RdFw3ooseO0itej9s6xvfs8IWoeleaAMaYRY0Io3DL19dGCA6pra4IM-LQC8RYJFiOXDyI/s1600/carolinawork1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NTPsD0gVrAmkedRc-RbKH1zTGlnRDYf0VnOGr2LgG2C-oUlohT1gxz0PFo9KHEpQGBxr1RdFw3ooseO0itej9s6xvfs8IWoeleaAMaYRY0Io3DL19dGCA6pra4IM-LQC8RYJFiOXDyI/s640/carolinawork1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>set of doors ornamented with figures in a grottesca style by Carolina d'Ayala Valva</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFngVVG544OBMb_4OxebX4BITwYDAmx0xZ8G-NxD6ppEMFnOq-MtehXtQy1ijVr1PdxPyOE2AhSKf4sx2iMa6dUhsCIFGKy_BF-hoz51qcsyJ59bP5dpU6wV12RsQpvKFuDZ0jTdIlLng/s1600/CCwip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFngVVG544OBMb_4OxebX4BITwYDAmx0xZ8G-NxD6ppEMFnOq-MtehXtQy1ijVr1PdxPyOE2AhSKf4sx2iMa6dUhsCIFGKy_BF-hoz51qcsyJ59bP5dpU6wV12RsQpvKFuDZ0jTdIlLng/s320/CCwip.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>work in progress on a Grottesca element</i></td></tr>
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<i>Which are your favorite materials/medium for painting? favorite brushes or tools?</i></div>
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My favorite technique for painting, is the egg tempera. I also use it for painting more contemporary subjects, in fact, is my personal opinion, that the egg tempera has no equal for beauty, brilliance and color depth. The egg yolk binder gives a softness and a flexibility to the brushstroke, truly unique. The binder allows the use of pure powdered pigments, these offer the possibility of having an infinite palette, rich in nuances that gives to the work so realized, the sumptuousness of the paintings of the ancient masters, performed with the same technique.</div>
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Of great importance in the use of this type of tempera is the choice of right brush, the right brush, leads to having an elegant pictorial gesture, soft and sinuous. I use round synthetic brushes, very flexible and highly accurate.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQXXXmQHFDNu_6UOOzhXQsUQrYDMetC7rj43BEqIOOdUqi49hgisjG-OoQyChcxzvEy0Xmgo6RFeHHcPtVbGp_dFtLs1T6GAMMDfb2USs6iIoBtwyjKk_eYWB2GgV4iG9hmub045gdTU/s1600/carolinawork8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQXXXmQHFDNu_6UOOzhXQsUQrYDMetC7rj43BEqIOOdUqi49hgisjG-OoQyChcxzvEy0Xmgo6RFeHHcPtVbGp_dFtLs1T6GAMMDfb2USs6iIoBtwyjKk_eYWB2GgV4iG9hmub045gdTU/s640/carolinawork8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">custom ceiling featuring <i>Grottesche</i> painted by Carolina d'Ayala Valva</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rx4Zr8bm0NxLisHjjzb9iTUoMuL6PelcGEjlkMTWohwT9Zvt8jX7U3pnfdwUKEA-aIYUELl8O-0_-NaKjJDSFGOkwqreTqHFtfVb3KjouvsAICmi0o65wesajrg1UNAe7RdnnlLO9hg/s1600/bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rx4Zr8bm0NxLisHjjzb9iTUoMuL6PelcGEjlkMTWohwT9Zvt8jX7U3pnfdwUKEA-aIYUELl8O-0_-NaKjJDSFGOkwqreTqHFtfVb3KjouvsAICmi0o65wesajrg1UNAe7RdnnlLO9hg/s640/bags.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Some of Carolina's fabric designs made into tote bags!</i></td></tr>
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<i>What's new? favorite recent projects?</i></div>
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I worked for years painting Grotesque decoration work on ceilings, furniture and panels for important clients in several countries.</div>
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So much work and experience led me to publish a book: <b>"Art et Techniques de la Grotesque"</b> (Editions Vial, 2009) and this made my work widely known around the world, encouraging also my activity as a teacher in Italy, France, Belgium and the U.S.</div>
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In 2013, as a result of the popularity of the book, <b> </b><a href="http://www.zuber.fr/" target="_blank"><b>Zuber</b>,</a> the famous producer of <i>papier peint</i>, contacted me in order to create a new collection of wallpapers inspired by my Grotesques. And this was the impetus to start building my collection of printed digital fabrics with the brand: Nina’s Home~ Artists for Textiles.</div>
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<i>Please tell us a bit about the process of designing for textiles. </i></div>
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Each design is first painted by hand as a work of art in a single original water-colored model. Then, the quality of the digital printing process allows us to reproduce the slightest nuances and brushstroke on the fabric, preserving the charm and originality of our hand-painted model.</div>
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As mentioned above, <span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-size: large;">modernity and tradition, this is the right mix today to further our art.</span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://www.lynnerutter.com/classes.php?class=32" target="_blank">Grottesca</a> </b> 5 day ornament class at Lynne Rutter Studio October 18-22, 2016</li>
<li><a href="http://amzn.to/2cEpaPc" target="_blank"><b>Art and Techniques of Grotesque</b></a> by Carolina d’Ayala Valva </li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhNakiaddfH6Vy2vCFmvgitGe-9mteFHRu2rphkeSvbM_wuut-hxFSdKPZ2iK24iAFvQ6rfwKMd420HSoVMjR9irFSuZeoNdZ7ZbX7eOFOudEauaplPQzs7OgmaSuJbChHZIXt-LV-EI/s1600/carolinawork7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhNakiaddfH6Vy2vCFmvgitGe-9mteFHRu2rphkeSvbM_wuut-hxFSdKPZ2iK24iAFvQ6rfwKMd420HSoVMjR9irFSuZeoNdZ7ZbX7eOFOudEauaplPQzs7OgmaSuJbChHZIXt-LV-EI/s640/carolinawork7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painted ceiling with modern Grottesche by Carolina d'Ayala Valva</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></span></span></i></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-16957129729543816152016-01-15T18:57:00.002-08:002020-09-23T18:39:46.956-07:00Creating an Heirloom Display<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqgG-33Nl_Ldqk9lGSK_tYb3eFYYDa9BSAvDzNJY6-uNG-hMpKYTI4_vNyP-hrPVXMd7S-j4XPnBEk881lNuUvNi8Jat5zssu6e_w8SFxQJsVDCTuYtBu5j5AnmHg3eJAF3FTEgte5W4/s1600/cracked.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqgG-33Nl_Ldqk9lGSK_tYb3eFYYDa9BSAvDzNJY6-uNG-hMpKYTI4_vNyP-hrPVXMd7S-j4XPnBEk881lNuUvNi8Jat5zssu6e_w8SFxQJsVDCTuYtBu5j5AnmHg3eJAF3FTEgte5W4/s640/cracked.jpg" width="538" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature portrait of Marie Antoinette, gouache on ivory, in an ormolu frame.</td></tr>
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Some years ago I began a journey, cleaning and restoring a large collection of miniature portraits that had belonged to my great-grandmother. A <a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2009/03/miniature-portraits.html" target="_blank">group of these</a> had been set aside for my niece, Elizabeth, and long after I had finished cleaning them, I was still struggling with a way to arrange them in some kind of display, to both protect and present them in a relevant way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF4LGNbzLz44XxBcNlCXwF5l6Lx53iIQUL-7xF3lCKnBZgUf5z-wDBlnKGHjxOnUyiXyP09mLsKZdgp1vMxPoJ9q1hhaaKRdAuY36d0RG_DtuUSOJlHf7lYqskPFk3bkwPmG6S1DRpMc/s1600/arranged.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF4LGNbzLz44XxBcNlCXwF5l6Lx53iIQUL-7xF3lCKnBZgUf5z-wDBlnKGHjxOnUyiXyP09mLsKZdgp1vMxPoJ9q1hhaaKRdAuY36d0RG_DtuUSOJlHf7lYqskPFk3bkwPmG6S1DRpMc/s640/arranged.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miniature collection, cleaned and restored, and arranged for framing!</td></tr>
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Enter the wonderful Christine Lando. Christine is an artist
and archival framer, with whom I share my studio in San Francisco. She located a vintage oval frame with convex
glass in which to set the collection. The frame had been spray over with gold-brown radiator paint and its glass had been glued in place with gobs of
silicone caulk. While Christine studied the grouping of the
miniatures and devised ways to attractively mount them in a reversible, museum-quality manner, I set about
cleaning and re-gilding the frame itself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4nl5plQSLXXuM5rc_AIbZkYGagbym9vvFYc-yIuAppNzRKYN1QsqCpm2-G5stWuTERv3Am7lhm_sqaaMTCN7mPNr1J6bScv01ubHrVCmPl2ZuTypFeeJEO-AR9C32bTNf7nP6IRogrg/s1600/Cnotes.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4nl5plQSLXXuM5rc_AIbZkYGagbym9vvFYc-yIuAppNzRKYN1QsqCpm2-G5stWuTERv3Am7lhm_sqaaMTCN7mPNr1J6bScv01ubHrVCmPl2ZuTypFeeJEO-AR9C32bTNf7nP6IRogrg/s640/Cnotes.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine Lando, framer extraordinaire, made careful notes in preparation for mounting this display of miniature portraits.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5zG9jJnJncC5w18FCucDvYwqf45OP7Sn_rdD3rIXo4P4vs_T9u_27vhXl6ISeCalwTLheod73Yi-Tkk1rgCOrDN4DXG3huTcuvVvAgjkgKo6C4uDHsFqGM5UYz7CExG6z9ytE1MqO3A/s1600/Lgidling.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5zG9jJnJncC5w18FCucDvYwqf45OP7Sn_rdD3rIXo4P4vs_T9u_27vhXl6ISeCalwTLheod73Yi-Tkk1rgCOrDN4DXG3huTcuvVvAgjkgKo6C4uDHsFqGM5UYz7CExG6z9ytE1MqO3A/s640/Lgidling.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie Lynne, gilding the antique oval frame</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjUjUNEuf43TdBmXPiYq_UcomqIQ_zdSnVZXi_w4tyqU0MHJzwe4P0OZwL9YV2Riw9RSaCMkFGagQZRt5m1S0xnNxEnJuhAFCW7iEZWZfK_nhlrLxedXYPnenonrM3QOASkPETY6hA1c/s1600/gilding.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjUjUNEuf43TdBmXPiYq_UcomqIQ_zdSnVZXi_w4tyqU0MHJzwe4P0OZwL9YV2Riw9RSaCMkFGagQZRt5m1S0xnNxEnJuhAFCW7iEZWZfK_nhlrLxedXYPnenonrM3QOASkPETY6hA1c/s400/gilding.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gilding in progress</td></tr>
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The frame was re-gilded using composition leaf, on a base of <a href="http://sinopia.com/" target="_blank">casein gesso made by Sinopia</a>. This was then shellacked, antiqued, and waxed to make a nice vintage "French" looking finish.<br />
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The finished piece makes a very sweet display for this collection, and a nice decorative addition to my newlywed niece's new home. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYGU54gZ9ojFWzSWnHo8REbhUI74gz5T7f9LyCsqHKz_FnOqp9z4tmwOSeTutTMEiWsLx4ympkwXvaHQ_eT-QH-bi9Mtsi879_sE52an8756b3IjfwxWL7X38p_-TPYmt1VUiuUN0_nY/s1600/sfinishedframe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYGU54gZ9ojFWzSWnHo8REbhUI74gz5T7f9LyCsqHKz_FnOqp9z4tmwOSeTutTMEiWsLx4ympkwXvaHQ_eT-QH-bi9Mtsi879_sE52an8756b3IjfwxWL7X38p_-TPYmt1VUiuUN0_nY/s640/sfinishedframe.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven beauties presented in a vintage gilt frame with convex glass.</td></tr>
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Soon after completing this display, I decided to make a similar heirloom as a gift for my sister. To compliment the goth aesthetic of her home, I chose three portraits out of the collection that are just a tad creepy. Christine created a shadowbox frame out of her personal stash of Italian
mouldings, this one with a verdigris guilloche pattern.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUPKKce9NV2gzgXooWfcDB4RnAhYmclgLLNGHrgHiRMm7B5iZeIf0DiQigzcHvuM5u0LD-M9AkWqIdtwiFopWFVtybE01av8Fxwpwqr9_vK1eGoTJdntXhIEJw9nPNlJHbAabxPskRAQ/s1600/leeframe.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUPKKce9NV2gzgXooWfcDB4RnAhYmclgLLNGHrgHiRMm7B5iZeIf0DiQigzcHvuM5u0LD-M9AkWqIdtwiFopWFVtybE01av8Fxwpwqr9_vK1eGoTJdntXhIEJw9nPNlJHbAabxPskRAQ/s640/leeframe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A group of three miniature portraits of Marie Antionette, mounted in a shadowbox frame by Christine Lando</td></tr>
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Included in this trio is my favorite big-eyed portrait of
Marie Antionette, beautifully painted and set in an ormolu frame (see first image.) This piece had a
noticeable crack in it, damage that occurred after the frame had been
back-stuffed with paper and cardboard (to keep it tight or something) which
then got wet and swelled, pushing the fragile ivory substrate into the
pillowed crystal front until it snapped. Someone then glued it to a piece of paper and stuffed it back into its frame. After removing all the garbage from the back of
the painting, I set it in a press for a few days to flatten it, and
then cleaned it and restored just a few tiny areas. It is stable and won't get any worse, and in
this setting, I think the remaining fracture adds a certain je ne sais
quoi. <br />
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See this <a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2009/03/miniature-portraits.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> for up-close photos of <a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2009/03/miniature-portraits.html" target="_blank">these miniature portraits</a>. <br />
Have something special needing an inventive framing solution?<br />
<b>Christine Lando</b> artist, archival framer 415.821.6485<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></i></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com82325 3rd St #207, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA37.7601343 -122.38826099.4499004638211517 -157.5445109 66.070368136178843 -87.2320109tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-53463581621622615072015-11-29T19:37:00.000-08:002015-11-29T19:37:01.527-08:00Theatre of Dreams<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI68xVXSe2ZVXHMb7wAJjgxXrcY2BgznihEwbwedatAHJjyHS6aXNSztGNw2t-ZhvHZdBp0nL-d03wuexBfDg4wGIcYJZenEf6qOknP8cuZxJunJXhEm3dhqe6_0Imgxd-V-vhyjy8DSg/s1600/toppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI68xVXSe2ZVXHMb7wAJjgxXrcY2BgznihEwbwedatAHJjyHS6aXNSztGNw2t-ZhvHZdBp0nL-d03wuexBfDg4wGIcYJZenEf6qOknP8cuZxJunJXhEm3dhqe6_0Imgxd-V-vhyjy8DSg/s640/toppers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glittering Tree toppers at Wendy Addison's studio <i>Theatre of Dreams</i></td></tr>
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A cold, clear holiday weekend, and what better way to enjoy the beauty of the San Francisco Bay Area than to escape the city and have a short adventure to Port Costa? It's been far too long since I last visited Wendy Addison's studio, and today the <a href="http://wendyaddisonstudio.com/" target="_blank">Theatre of Dreams</a> is open!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRSNhEN-dK-Q0lrV0e-Gl1EiFk9-3l3JZXh9FC7orOyLq7eHAewWfhqIzqiGOVyFgkl_dlgw-bVkcoQQJfeeNluA7c4fZAl96WfeTzuw22Uuhcki2kFTRpXqGJcBHeaZwm9VMdnn0-SU/s1600/tod2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRSNhEN-dK-Q0lrV0e-Gl1EiFk9-3l3JZXh9FC7orOyLq7eHAewWfhqIzqiGOVyFgkl_dlgw-bVkcoQQJfeeNluA7c4fZAl96WfeTzuw22Uuhcki2kFTRpXqGJcBHeaZwm9VMdnn0-SU/s640/tod2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theatre of Dreams holiday shop in Port Costa; Bob's roasted nuts being sold outside</td></tr>
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Port Costa is a charming little place on the Carquinez Straight, at the end of a windy canyon road, and it's utterly beautiful in a frozen-in-time kind of way. And today it was nearly freezing so the Maestro and I began with a warming drink at the Warehouse Café, which in the summer is usually full of bikers, but was at that hour perfectly deserted. Then we went to visit the shop, which is housed in an old flat-front Victorian with a double wrap-around porch. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuc8Ka_oUg0le1Qbjhffc_Qy-tMjanGYpltUctmlANcREv404BTC1Brwul5RFUCFUW0oTT0pAMmY7rC_HYtXYTv7PabcO_pVt6q-l5BGofR8KZobj-io1Ji297d-YYxLIBNUrKYcuOGsg/s1600/tod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuc8Ka_oUg0le1Qbjhffc_Qy-tMjanGYpltUctmlANcREv404BTC1Brwul5RFUCFUW0oTT0pAMmY7rC_HYtXYTv7PabcO_pVt6q-l5BGofR8KZobj-io1Ji297d-YYxLIBNUrKYcuOGsg/s640/tod.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">inside the Theatre of Dreams</td></tr>
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Inside the Theatre of Dreams is dark and twinkling with glitter ornaments, gift boxes, and mysterious shadows. Wendy's creations are made from antique ribbon, old sheet music, German glass glitter, letter-pressed phrases, vintage ephemera. Her work is as much about atmosphere and memory as it is about tactile beauty. Visiting her studio is a wonderful and inspiring experience.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UlvrGevgvxNEcM07RKSXv-L2rn8LMRVw307Du47p1pX4zYgeff0ZWHVkSoG3r0eru8fiGKcvo7fjw3Z8LGnqORFsS_DWLh_uJQGdBTubQTy9X1CiNkhwtTmrM-Oi2La4B_gm1XECKhE/s1600/tod3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UlvrGevgvxNEcM07RKSXv-L2rn8LMRVw307Du47p1pX4zYgeff0ZWHVkSoG3r0eru8fiGKcvo7fjw3Z8LGnqORFsS_DWLh_uJQGdBTubQTy9X1CiNkhwtTmrM-Oi2La4B_gm1XECKhE/s640/tod3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a small diorama by Wendy Addison</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4WohKYcPumpaR4K9ENv7AG_Mi6e_9vkUIfTtVfLmt-Y6KPVqOO4OMm3dvGnxWFyBSXiLFCiOrr6qqR1_ahu1SmfzcHx6eOMNtlPuNJZuWMnLZj2ajBdjxDdSMFDL8FGpx_V5OxaeXxA/s1600/paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4WohKYcPumpaR4K9ENv7AG_Mi6e_9vkUIfTtVfLmt-Y6KPVqOO4OMm3dvGnxWFyBSXiLFCiOrr6qqR1_ahu1SmfzcHx6eOMNtlPuNJZuWMnLZj2ajBdjxDdSMFDL8FGpx_V5OxaeXxA/s640/paris.jpg" width="505" /></a></div>
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For a couple of weekends just after Thanksgiving, the <i>Theatre of Dreams</i> is open as a holiday shop. </div>
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<i>O</i>f course we ran into our old friend <a href="http://kathleencrowley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kathleen Crowley</a> there, another creative spirit and maker of beautiful things whose studio is in just downstream in Crockett. Weren't we supposed to make tiaras and just start wearing them all the time? </div>
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We lingered admiring the glittering décor and another warming drink at the Warehouse, and then wandered across the street to the refashioned <a href="http://www.bullvalleyroadhouse.com/" target="_blank">Bull Valley Roadhouse</a> for some excellent comfort food.</div>
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More nostalgia: more photos of the Theatre of Dreams in this previous post (2011) <b> <a href="http://www.ornamentalist.net/2011/11/cirque-de-noel.html" target="_blank">Cirque de Nöel.</a></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsESuceupHtc3mJswMF_Cpe3wDspWo4wPjHk5dhu9_9L6pWGvi45yHdxJgCbfpRHtfdiNDPHYWR6_JzBHHk2301VF7h_18_PuF5kb1vIiczt4iQIClU9vwvXooP6GP1cClr3felsgbKDY/s1600/memento.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsESuceupHtc3mJswMF_Cpe3wDspWo4wPjHk5dhu9_9L6pWGvi45yHdxJgCbfpRHtfdiNDPHYWR6_JzBHHk2301VF7h_18_PuF5kb1vIiczt4iQIClU9vwvXooP6GP1cClr3felsgbKDY/s640/memento.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A paper memento mori and Halloween gift boxes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gift boxes displayed under the watchful shadow of a large faerie.</td></tr>
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The <b>Theatre of Dreams</b><span style="font-family: serif;"><i> </i></span>annual holiday open house </div>
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Friday-Sunday November 27-29 and December 5-7<br />
#11 Canyon Lake Drive, Port Costa, California</div>
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<a href="http://wendyaddisonstudio.com/">WendyAddisonStudio.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(510) 672-1900 </i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9aekPhz-BAUJW4D80yB45CT15as5g1TOC3lDz5I4ZMcyCj_Vlttu81zTPoonZ8iirf8LI5Na8gw0aKzbXMWbh4HLcHcoyB45P1C4HMReRUBzdWSKvXKrB0WG2irarqxI5UMVwwv5BUA/s1600/bvrhpiano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9aekPhz-BAUJW4D80yB45CT15as5g1TOC3lDz5I4ZMcyCj_Vlttu81zTPoonZ8iirf8LI5Na8gw0aKzbXMWbh4HLcHcoyB45P1C4HMReRUBzdWSKvXKrB0WG2irarqxI5UMVwwv5BUA/s640/bvrhpiano.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a piano vignette inside the Bull Valley Roadhouse</td></tr>
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<i>all photos in this post by Lynne Rutter - click to view larger</i><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;"><i><a href="http://lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></i></span></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565391737422896914.post-42785108585734625552015-11-25T18:35:00.001-08:002020-09-23T18:44:54.640-07:00Exterior Color: Alameda Queen Anne<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguygGRzC7kYcD9nC0MHYSsSwsYodC9s76xAoU648r_cnZE6nnxG5SqR5BodWS-QEmf2KEmv3tpJNWcb_vf0mEDuoHtFK_y7HUWKOKKYoOv19ECfyo_dluDL88-QWgeAOOvL2u6APOcog/s1600/safter2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiguygGRzC7kYcD9nC0MHYSsSwsYodC9s76xAoU648r_cnZE6nnxG5SqR5BodWS-QEmf2KEmv3tpJNWcb_vf0mEDuoHtFK_y7HUWKOKKYoOv19ECfyo_dluDL88-QWgeAOOvL2u6APOcog/s640/safter2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morton St. Queen Anne with a new paint scheme by Lynne Rutter</td></tr>
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Alameda, California is a lovely small town on its own island, and home to the <a href="http://alamedapointantiquesfaire.com/" target="_blank">best flea market</a> on the West Coast. I counted as a good sign that my clients called me from Forbidden Island, Alameda's famous tiki bar, asking for help choosing paint colors for the Victorian house they had just bought.<br />
The house is a fabulous 1890 "Queen Anne" style, set back from the street with a front garden. It had been painted with a bachelor-pad color scheme in the late 1980s, and it seemed to me the feminine aspects of the architecture got a bit lost in the process. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQh56CWunnmBt6JVw_uXmExQCsb4dYukTyyYm74EnwA42WcXIA57HPONxhyphenhyphenYxpYfKxb6iTU-epQSavz06XwWoSYgoq-NXtSlYdXNSMxJz4doOfdMVyPZk5T8JTFni_6FEHJI_PGfQKIyk/s1600/Smortonbefore.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQh56CWunnmBt6JVw_uXmExQCsb4dYukTyyYm74EnwA42WcXIA57HPONxhyphenhyphenYxpYfKxb6iTU-epQSavz06XwWoSYgoq-NXtSlYdXNSMxJz4doOfdMVyPZk5T8JTFni_6FEHJI_PGfQKIyk/s640/Smortonbefore.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before: "bachelor pad" color scheme or brown and beige</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCGsNPk0bsEyKCjpyJ7ygN-qxZdZGTrLQOHHw0VP3gou-duJCvlEM7XujBRgG5YT47lAQSC0fgUQAJTpqAhr9Nk8jiu4YU1Pca5r8kZilnKHYzCjt3Lioe_JbhDAlhtPBs8hqo6nHIl0/s1600/swan_poster_blue_400.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCGsNPk0bsEyKCjpyJ7ygN-qxZdZGTrLQOHHw0VP3gou-duJCvlEM7XujBRgG5YT47lAQSC0fgUQAJTpqAhr9Nk8jiu4YU1Pca5r8kZilnKHYzCjt3Lioe_JbhDAlhtPBs8hqo6nHIl0/s320/swan_poster_blue_400.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walter Crane "Swans" by Bradbury and Bradbury</td></tr>
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With a major restoration and interior upgrade already in progress, the exterior painting was a ways off, but it often feels like the light at the end of a long tunnel to have the colors worked out in advance, and to have that to look forward to, as well as to help us focus on what this house - what the experience of living in this house - will be "about."<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I was asked to give her back her dignity, as well as some of her sass, like a well-dressed lady who is also fabulously smart.</i></span><br />
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Meanwhile, awkwardly-added gutters and downspouts were reworked or replaced, and the balcony rebuilt; a large number of window sashes were replaced as were many of the cedar shingles.<br />
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Our new color scheme was inspired in part by an Aesthetic Movement poster, printed by <a href="http://www.bradbury.com/" target="_blank">Bradbury and Bradbury Art Wallpapers</a>, on a swan design by Walter Crane. The gold ochre, the terra cotta... even that little bit of black. So this is where I started. Th gold, ochre, and bronze color all look so different at various times of day. I meant to use two of them, because normally I approve of painting the shingles differently from the shiplap, but in this case the texture difference was enough. <br />
The blue appears not only in the sky but on the ceiling of the porch and the underside of the eaves. Gold leaf embellishes some features, including many that are visible from inside the house, through the upstairs windows. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvJACo5Lrp0D8lnVruSbv2JlpEA6LT3SE4UvBXzu7YmgKR5kpRW6r3dKYnYNcn8hofgwuWmqEj6TUAamGO-R8al8t44y7kKqwff1RQkU6Yh5pidY4jiE4lBB6yKieCyae2UuB-yBdI6M/s1600/Smortonfinis2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvJACo5Lrp0D8lnVruSbv2JlpEA6LT3SE4UvBXzu7YmgKR5kpRW6r3dKYnYNcn8hofgwuWmqEj6TUAamGO-R8al8t44y7kKqwff1RQkU6Yh5pidY4jiE4lBB6yKieCyae2UuB-yBdI6M/s640/Smortonfinis2.jpg" width="562" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morton St Queen Anne with its new paint scheme by Lynne Rutter</td></tr>
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I have been involved with the interior of this home as well, and may share that later. But for now I want to point to those amazing giant thistle lace sheers, custom-made using a fabric by <a href="http://www.timorousbeasties.com/" target="_blank">Timorous Beasties</a>. With such prominent windows the choice of window sheer had an immense effect on the exterior.<br />
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<i>Lynne Rutter designs color for interiors and exteriors in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as by email for homes all over the world! Contact her <a href="mailto:ornamentalist@gmail.com">here.</a></i><br />
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<span style="color: #7f6000;"><i><a href="http://www.lynnerutter.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Rutter Studio</a></i></span></div>
Lynne Rutterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03861049506323014982noreply@blogger.com2