What a whirlwind trip to Florence. To see the city we lived in, to absorb the sounds and light, visit some of my favorite restaurants and spend time with some of my favorite people. It was great to be back in town, to just concentrate on painting outdoors.
Ponte Vecchio, Backlit 30x40cm
I lived in Florence for more than a decade, yet somehow I never got around to painting some of the hallmarks of the city. I guess it just felt too touristy at the time. As soon as I settled in Boston I realized there were a few views of Florence I had always wanted to paint, but never did.
Morning, Ponte Vecchio 25×35
Market at San Lorenzo, 30x40cm
It was a great time to be in town, the Florence Academy’s term was just closing, so I was able to visit with a lot of old students and friends. Robert Bodem’s sculpture program had its final open house at its current location in Via Luna, and that gave me a great opportunity to paint a view I had wanted to for years. We lived just around the corner from Via Luna, and I had always wanted to paint the humble little street corner.
Via Luna, 25×35
Santo Spirito, Before Summer Storm 30x40cm
Santa Trinita’, Before Sunset 25×35
Piazza Santissima Annunziata 30x40cm
It was great just to concentrate on sketching, walking all over the city, painting places as if I was visiting old friends.
National Library, 45x55cm
On a personal note, an interesting part of the trip was that after a few days enjoying being in Florence I suddenly realized how much I missed Boston. It’s a curious thing when your concept of ‘home’ changes.
It’s been fantastic to spend the past few days in the studio, touching up the sketches, listening to good music and enjoying the sound of the train passing nearby.
It’s great to be home.
click one of the buttons on the right to share this post
Beautiful Leo! I’m glad you did these paintings and shared them, it’s a wonderful thing to do, painting places as if you were visiting old friends, it fills them with strong emotions! Via Luna & San Lorenzo are strepitosi! When you came to the restaurant there was such a sparkle in your eyes, now i get what was goin’on!
Great to see these, Leo. And glad that I got to say hello at the Sculpture Studio Open event at FAA on Via Luna…
I heard good things about your workshop you held here in Firenze. And it is fun for me to see above, which views you chose to paint. Bravo.
Hi Leo.. I love the wonderful paintings and dialogue about your recent trip to florence.. I will be returning for Sept. Can’t wait to walk in your steps and visit the historical sites that I too have taken for granted…. Ciao
I was struck by the seasonal quality. The pictures are full of summery colors, especially that wonderful blue. You really capture the specific moment. Though the places are familiar to me, the time of year in Florence is not.
Good work, Leo!
Where did you eat?
For how long were you in Florence? Good work! Nice to see you’re keeping busy.
Hey Val, I was in town for about two weeks, it was all very busy. @charlie, it’s more like ‘where didn’t I eat’
Wow Leo, I love these new paintings. You have nailed the light, the sky, I almost smell the ozone in S. Spirito. I could look at Ponte Vecchio all day, great water. Just lovely. Really nice. Thanks.
These really have an intimate feeling, like a portrait of some one you know really well. I have been away now 3 years and it stirs up a lot of memories! I didn’t know you were in Boston. I hope you are both doing very well. Thanks for posting them.