Not often does something started by a horrible dictator result in years of prosperity and art but Cinecittà Studios is that exception. Opened in April of 1937 by Mussolini in order to promote Italy and fascism with the slogan “Il cinema è l’arma più forte” (Cinema is the most powerful weapon), Cinecittà Studio is now the largest production studio ... Read More »
The only ceiling Caravaggio ever painted has been hidden for hundreds of years in a villa in Rome. But now, Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi in an effort to “bring more life” into the crumbling Villa Aurora, which she inhabits with her husband Prince Nicolò Boncompagni Ludovisi, descendent of Popes Gregory XIII and Gregory XV, is on view to the ... Read More »
Often in Italy, the stories of its cities are the stories of its artists. In Siena, the story of its most famous artist shines a light on a city whose history has been plagued by the shadow of its more prosperous neighbor, and rival, to the north, Florence. The origin of Duccio di Buoninsegna is a mystery but what ... Read More »
For the past few months, we’ve been closely following the saga unfolding in Porto Ecrole, Italy as scientists test the remains of whom they believe may be the long dead Caravaggio; bones tossed into an ossuary in the 1950s after being dug-up from the cemetery of San Sebastiano. In 2001, an Italian researcher came across a document he believed ... Read More »
There isn’t a better time to live out your Under the Tuscan Sun dreams, rent a car and explore Italy than during Settimanna della Cultura, or Cultural Week. For the past twelve years, the Italian Ministry of Culture has opened all state operated museums, archaeological sites, historical homes, monuments and various other places around the country free to the ... Read More »
Being travel guides, we always advocate putting your heels to the pavement and seeking out art, music and film locations yourself. Flipping through a coffee-table book of Caravaggios naturally pales in comparison to seeing his Contarelli Chapel murals up close and in person. But even we have to admit that one can’t see every worthwhile piece of art or ... Read More »
According to a fascinating article in today’s New York Times, one of the first true museums ever, the Palazzo Grimani, is now one of Europe’s newest exhibition spaces as the 500+-year-old structure reopens to the public after a century and a half of disuse and a nine year restoration. Read More »
Yes, the mystery of Caravaggio’s death is reaching its semi-exciting climax as blood drawn from likely decedents of the chiaroscuro painter with the rock-star reputation are even now being compared to DNA samples taken from bones found in the ossuary underneath the church at Porto Ercole on the Tuscan coast, commonly believed his last resting place. And where did ... Read More »
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