Italians read fewer newspapers than most of their Western European counterparts – only 5 million Italians (out of 60M) regularly read books or newspapers – resulting in an always-amusing range of marketing tactics in order …
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Resources in Art History – technical info, student projects, bloopers, study guides.
A renaissance art historian’s guide to Florence through its history, monuments, and people.
“Fuori Porta” literally means outside the city gates. Anywhere outside Florence!
An art historian’s approach to the monuments of the eternal city.
Art, sea, mountains, islands, shopping, hiking, culture… Tuscany has it all.
We have a new guideline for accomodation when traveling: stay where you eat. This differs from “eat where you stay” in a clever inversion that fully excludes the dreaded hotel restaurant.
A few months ago we …
This video was made by a Syracuse University Florence student, Remi Evans. It was her final project for a course called Masterpieces of Renaissance Art, a favourite of students for many years, taught by the …
I’ve been meaning to go check out this place in the Florentine hills called Dulcamara where you can cook your own meal OR hire a caterer. It’s the same place that Chef Paula Carrier has …
This weekend Florence was graced with a slight dumping of snow and the coldest temperatures we’ve had here in years. The city was spared the most of it, while in the hills people have been …
I recently met Jody Mattioli, a young artist who designs and hand-makes the most exceptional metal objects. I was struck by the originality of his sole wine rack in particular (see photo), and think it …
This Fall (until late Jan 2010), Palazzo Strozzi offers two important exhibits on realism and art. The major show “Art and Illusions – Masterpieces of Trompe l’Oeil” has received a lot of attention from the …
Folks! my comprehensive book review of Jane Fortune’s “Invisible Women” is now online and in the paper! Read the article in The Florentine and see below to win your own copy!
Short summary: Invisible Women is …
Opening today: German photographer Candida Höfer’s monumental photographs of some of Florence’s most impressive interiors on display at Palazzo Medici Riccardi, under the auspices of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi.
Photo: Candida Höfer: “Biblioteca Marucelliana Firenze I …
Last night I attended the opening of ARTour, which can best be described as a Tuscan artisans’ itinerary. Work in various media by contemporary artisans is displayed in unusual locations: an antique carpet dealer, a …
People often ask me where “real” Florentines go shopping. The answer is that we do shop downtown, and at outlet malls. But in town, via Gioberti (map!) is one of my favourite streets for a …
The other day I got to meet Karen Bryan, a full time online information specialist (ok, that’s “blogger”) who brings us Europe a la Carte blog and Top Travel Content Europe, an aggregator website. Europe …
OK, I admit that I’ve never been to Sardinia. We considered it last summer, but ended up closer to home, in Elba. So when Paolo from Charming Sardinia contacted me and offered a guest post, …
When the Bardini Museum reopened last year the most remarkable aspect of the restoration was the return of Stefano Bardini’s blue walls. Bardini, a 19th century art dealer, left his show room and gallery, housed …
It’s the first weekend in August, which means it’s bollino nero because of the esodo, and if you don’t do a partenza intelligente, you’re screwed. Have no idea what I’m talking about? You need an …
A Question of Style: From the 14th of January at the Museum of the Roberto Capucci Foundation at Villa Bardini, an exhibit of 23 dresses by the Italian designer. The exhibition explores the relationship between …
