Who is the “Her”?

Florence, Italy

She’s still my favourite city to visit. Even in the stifling heat of summer or in the spring downpours. Even with thousands of tourists milling about. Even when I trip on the uneven sidewalks or get pooped on by a pigeon (it’s good luck, they say!). And even when the line up for my favourite restaurant is continually out the door.

It’s a place that I’m discovering and rediscovering after more than a dozen visits. My favourite thing to do is just walk around, stop for coffee, sketch a little, and then walk some more. There is so much beauty that many have told me that Florence overwhelms them. Understandable. A treasure or a curiosity awaits you every few feet!

I have planned to go back this fall for an extended stay, and in anticipation of that trip, I got warmed up with a large painting of one of my favourite Florentine street views. I’ve painted it in miniature previously, but this time I gave it the big treatment. There is an art supply store called Rigacci on this street, Via dei Servi, that I have visited often (not surprising!). Upon exiting the store, I never tire of this intriguing view – where the Duomo looms large, almost ghostly at the end of the street. Depending upon weather conditions, the “ghostly” factor can certainly be dialed up. In rain, the Duomo is in a misty haze. In bright sun, it looks like an intermittent mirage. Then as you walk toward it on Via dei Servi, the angle of the Duomo changes and it becomes this glorious Giantess at the end of the street. Mesmerizing!

For this painting, I chose the Giantess view at 22 Via dei Servi because it’s close enough to paint the Duomo’s marble details and I love the ochre-yellow colour of the building on the left. The original photo subject for this painting contained many more people and cars, but I applied a little Artist’s Creative Choice. I chose to leave in only three vehicles, including a motorized scooter (they outnumber tourists, I think), and the small red truck in the foreground left as a fun colour contrast. And as for people, I left in two gents walking in the background, and a family of three walking toward us. I specifically chose this family because it reminded me of our family’s first visit to Florence in 2005 – my husband, my teenage son, and myself.

This painting, “Via dei Servi, Florence”, was a true labour of love – containing so much of those moments of extraordinary awe, beauty and precious memory that I will forever associate with my favourite city and painting subject, Florence.

“Via Dei Servi, Florence” ink and watercolour; 11.5″ x 16.25″

Pricing information is here, and contact me directly for purchasing inquiries. This piece is currently included in my summer exhibitions and is not available in my online store.