Renaissance grotesques in Assisi

The Domus Propertius in Assisi,
a wonderful example of
Roman Art. 

By visiting the Roman homes you may be aware of where artists of all time took their inspiration for their patterns. In the long alley that takes to the "Viridarium" (tr. pleasure garden", see photo of a detail) of the Propertius' home in Assisi, it is possible to admire small frescoes in the shape of framed paintings as if it were a picture gallery. It is so modern that you may think of your home!

On the contrary to admire the original grotesques the place to go is the "Domus Aurea Neronis", the golden home of Nero in Rome. The story says that Renaissance artists like Raphael went to the home of Nero to get inspiration from its grotesques. Indeed the current ceramics pattern known as "Raffaellesco" comes from Raphael and the grotesques that he painted in the Vatican Rooms, specifically grotesques with dragons.

Grotesques in the Nero Home, where Raphael took
inspiration for his Renaissance grotesques. 

Currently in Rome there is an Exhibition about The Emperor Nero (from April 12th to September 18th 2011). The exhibition takes place in different places of the city including the Colisseum and where Nero actually lived. Funny enough I am thinking of the play on word of the famous computer program called "Nero burning". This is exactly what the exhitibion wants to do: rehabilitate the image of Nero, who was subject to a propaganda by the artistocracy of his time which has left an indelible mark about this emperor until today.

See also the official web site of the  Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities  and the official website of the Italian Archaeological Heritage which has organized the event along with the publisher Electa. Famous Italian scholars have contributed to the event. Worth the visit! 

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- Original Posts by Roberta Niccacci -

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A blast of flowers in Eleonora's Rooms

Eleonora da Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de' Medici, Duchess of Florence
1522-1562. Portrait by artist Bronzino. 

The new Valentino's collections are a celebration of flowers and buds, a true spring blast.

They make me think of the beautiful hand-painted walls of the apartments of Eleonora da Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de' Medici.

The personal room of the Duchess was painted in green with wonderful details of birds, vines, flowers, and jewelry. 

Detail of the apartments of Eleonora da Toledo in Palazzo Vecchio

The theme of vines, flowers, and birds is not new to the Italian history of art. Indeed in a Roman home in Assisi called "Domus Propertius" it is possible to admire the so-called "Viridarium" (tr. pleasure garden). The Viridarium is part of a covered porch known as a crypto-porch. It is a recessed area framed in red and painted with vines, red flowers, and more than 90 different birds,  half the way of a long wall, and was meant to be a place for relaxation.

The "Viridarium" in the house of Propertius in Assisi

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Palazzo Vecchio is closed on Thursday afternoon and the "Domus Propertius" in Assisi is accessible four days a year under the celebrations of the week of Italian Heritage (weekends of 9-17 April 2011 this year ). At the Domus Propertius it is not possible to take photos. Accessible through a guided tour only. Archaeological site. 

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Original Posts by Roberta Niccacci -

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