BUON GIORNO VINATGE CONTESSA READERS!

I am pleased to introduce you to A BEAUTIFUL LADY in ITALY who KNOWS HER STUFF!

I forget how we found each other but so happy we did!

I recently took a couple of her classes on line and LOVED THEM SO MUCH.

I thought this would be a wonderful way to introduce some of you to ITALY where I lived for three years with THAT ITALIAN HUSBAND!

PAOLA has studied ART HISTORY and has re-visited many museums MORE than once!

BELOW IS HER ANSWERS TO ALL MY QUESTIONS……..I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO FIRENZE (FLORENCE,ITALY).

I WAS MARRIED THERE SO IT HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART!

 

Carissima Contessa,

Thank you so much for featuring me on your blog! What a delight to share a bit about me and my life in Italy with your readers!

CAN you please give us a short BIO on who you are and where you live and how you became interested in ART HISTORY?

I am an art historian based in Florence, Italy. I grew up in the house full of artists, as my father was a painter. So, I feel alive when surrounded with art, and creativity of any kind.  The Italian Renaissance has always fascinated me – in my past life I must have lived in Florence in 1400s as I feel like I personally have met personages such as Cosimo il Vecchio, or his grandson Lorenzo il Magnifico.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN FIRENZE (FLORENCE) and VIAREGGIO?  

I came to Florence in 2006 having won a prestigious scholarship from Syracuse University in New York. They have an amazing graduate program that allows students to spend a year in Florence, studying with the leaders in the field of art history, and in the Florentine archives. I was meant to be here for a year, and… I never left.

Your ENGLISH is EXCELLENT! Explain how that came to be? 

My family moved to the USA during the war in Ex-Yugoslavia, and all my advanced education was in English.

If I heard  correctly you have a few degrees in ART HISTORY?

Yes, after getting an MA from Syracuse University, I also attended a special graduate program at the University of Siena in Management of Cultural Heritage. It was a unique program where the guest experts ranged from the director of the Colosseum of Rome to the special carabinieri force that specialize in art smuggled across the Italian borders.

Can I ask who are your TOP THREE FAVORITE RENAISSANCE PAINTERS?

This is a tough one, as my favorites change all the time! Beyond the “Holy Trinity of Renaissance art”: Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael, I am fascinated by their respective teachers Verrocchio, Ghirlandaio, and Perugino.

If you can tell us WHY?

In the Renaissance it was all about what the previous generations were able to create, and then the youngsters built upon it. For example, if there was no Donatello, we would not have someone like Michelangelo.

WHAT PAINTING SPEAKS TO YOU IN THE UFFIZI IN FLORENCE?

I never miss visiting with the portrait of Eleonora of Toledo (1522-1562), a Spanish noblewoman born Doña Leonor Álvarez de Toledo y Osorio. Her 1539 marriage to Cosimo I de’ Medici, the grand duke of Florence is one of the most romantic stories of the Italian Renaissance, which lasted till death did them part. Eleonora died at the age of 40 after giving birth to 11 children – in only 14 years. A daughter of the viceroy of Naples, Eleonora brought in a series of court rules to the Palazzo Vecchio, along with successful farming and business “startups” that she financed herself!  (Her own family, with its great wealth, had financed the New World explorations of Christopher Columbus!) During their wedding celebrations, Eleonora was referred to as “a new Beatrice—a 17-year-old beauty who claimed Cosimo’s heart as surely as Beatrice Portinari consumed Dante’s.” Theirs was truly a match made in heaven.

Eleanora was immortalized in 1545 in a beautiful portrait by the court artist Agnolo Bronzino.  The 22-year-old Duchess of Florence poses with her second-born child, Giovanni, who at the time was only two. This beloved portrait in the Uffizi Gallery might be the first “state” portrait to include a young child and the ruler’s heir. Tragically, both Eleonora and Giovanni died of malaria, on the same day: December 17, 1562.
2022 is a special year as it marks the 500^th anniversary of Eleonora’s birth.

How about the LOUVRE in PARIS?

So many exceptional Italian Renaissance works are there. I love the intimate family portrait of the “Old Man with his Grandson” painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio at the end of his short career (Ghirlandaio died at the age of 46). Even though the man portrayed has a medical condition known as “strawberry nose” he is shown with so much dignity here. A famous American art historian from the turn of the last century, Bernard Berenson wrote about this portrait, “there is no more human picture in the entire range of Quattrocento painting, whether in or out of Italy.” Any grandparent will relate to the tender and loving exchange between the grandfather and his grandson. Their love is timeless.

Do you give WALKING TOURS in FLORENCE?

I do! I have been a licensed tour guide of Florence since 2008, after going through an extensive 900-hour training program (on top of my graduate degrees!). I love sharing my love of Florence with visitors from all walks of life and have been very fortunate to meet a few celebrities such as Beyonce and Reba McEntire. I design custom itineraries to make sure my clients experience the best Florence has to offer no matter how long or short their visit to the city is.

I attended two sessions of your STUDIOLO’S. How did these come to be?

I started “Paola’s Studiolo” at the beginning of the pandemic. The virtual interviews are inspired by a concept of a Studiolo, a room that was dedicated to study and contemplation in the Renaissance homes and I have had the honor to interview some of the most important museum directors, curators, and writers of our time in the field of the Renaissance and beyond.

How are they conducted?

They are on zoom, usually on Saturdays at 10am PST/1pm EST/7pm Italy

WHO or WHAT gave you that idea?It all started with a celebrated author and an esteemed friend Ross King who talked about his bestselling book “Brunelleschi’s Dome.” Here is that very first interview:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asu5yLxdKJE

I especially enjoyed the EX-FBI AGENT talking about NON-VERBAL language in the paintings and REAL LIFE. For example, did you know that fingers not touching means “HAPPY” like a HIGH FIVE and that fingers “CLOSED” or touching means SAD?

A foot behind or to the side refers to an escape that can be made if necessary.

One see’s this A LOT in paintings. Also, the FEET tell MORE than a FACE this is in REAL LIFE TOO!

Yes, that was such a great interview with the nonverbal communication expert Joe Navarro. It was so much fun to look at some of the iconic works with Joe’s discerning eye, such as the Mona Lisa. It is with great pleasure that I share truly unique interview for your readers: https://youtu.be/P-FUTmml0PQ

Another interview that I am sure they will enjoy is with the founder of Casanova Museum in Venice, Carlo Parodi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7tScPcwFi4

For anyone interested in more here is the entire line up: https://www.paolavojnovic.com/paolas-studiolo

And  “Friends of Paola’s Studiolo” have access to all the past interviews! You will find more information here: https://www.paolavojnovic.com/friends-of-paola-s-studiolo

Do you offer other classes beside the STUDIOLO?

Yes, I curate a series of classes on the Renaissance. They are informative, fun and well researched look at a specific artist of 15th and 16th century Italy. Some I teach in their entirety, and for others I call upon my colleagues and experts whose work I admire.  So far, I did different series of well attended and highly praised sets of Masterclasses on the art of Florence and Venice. The last one was dedicated to the “Forgotten Stars of the Renaissance” such as Paolo Uccello, Filippo and Filippino Lippi, Piero della Francesca…

Are they weekly or monthly. How long?

The lectures are usually over a 6-week period, once a week. So, six one-hour sessions, followed by 15 min Q&A. All the sessions are recorded and sent to those that register.

READERS as a past student of hers I found all the classes very interesting.

Thank you so much Elizabeth for registering yourself and giving my class as a birthday gift to your friend! It was such joy to have you!

 

 Did you know dear reader the gown on a portrait sitter tells wealth as do pearls.

Indeed, even the color has its meaning. Wearing RED in the Renaissance was like wearing GUCCI or PRADA today!

The HALO’s above the heads (who’s heads) mean what PAOLA?

It is a radiant circle or disk surrounding the head of Christ, Saints, and other holy figures. We find halos in Byzantine and Renaissance art. It is a representation of spiritual character through the symbolism of light. Christ often has a special halo with a cross, as you can see in this example in the 13^th century mosaic of Christ with Mary (left) and San Miniato (right). Elizabeth, I chose the example from the San Miniato because I know it has a special place in your heart, this is the church where you got married to “your Italian!” 

 

Which city fascinates you the most in your Bella ITALIA?

Every region of Italy has its charm. For me the most magical is the city of Venice that has such surreal, magic quality about it. If I could travel back in time, I would love to visit Venice at the end of the 1500s when the city had 180,000 residents (sadly, that number is about 60,000 residents now). Peggy Guggenheim fell in love with Venice and decided to live there. Her home is now one of the most important modern art museums in Italy. I was fortunate to intern there in 2000, and the time I spent there made me love and appreciate Venice in a special way. For Venice lovers, here are two Studiolo interviews. One is the interview on the Mysteries of Venetian with the author Alberto Toso Fei whose family has been living in Murano for centuries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qVK-fWFY2Y

And an informal interview with my friend Monica Cesarato who just published a book on cicchetti – the famously fabulous Venetian finger food: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBOF2L5knw0

How much is a cappuccino today at a BAR?

It is still only 1 EURO in most places, if you take it standing up at the bar!

BARs are not what we AMERICANS are use too.

Can you explain a BAR in ITALY?

In fact, bars are cafes – the heartbeat of any Italian piazza big or small. It is where the day begins with a quick caffe and a warm cornetto – la colazione (breakfast) my favorite part of the Italian day!

Many bars offer a light lunch menu (Italians eat at 1pm on the dot) and then transform to bustling aperitivo spots by 6pm (where a glass of wine or light alcoholic drink is served with small bits of food, known as cicchetti in Venice). One very important Italian rule – you should NEVER order a cappuccino after 1pm!

Does it still cost MORE money if you SIT at a BAR or to STAND?

Yes, it does. Italians generally take their espresso standing at the bar and then go about their day. You will be charged more for table service and sometimes that can be quite pricey. But I find that every cent you pay is worth it – you can have so much fun just watching the world pass by! My favorite spot in the world is Piazza San Marco’s Caffe Florian at sunset, with their orchestra playing Italian tunes and the mosaics on the facade of Basilica of San Marco dance with the last rays of sun. Florian is the oldest cafe in the world, having opened its doors in 1720! Here is a detail of a painting by Canaletto showing the café and piazza painted in 1750.

 

Can you leave us with a quote from one of the RENAISSANCE PAINTERS?

“My eyes, longing for beautiful things, together with my soul longing for salvation, have no other power to ascend to heaven than the contemplation of beauty.”                                                                                        ~Michelangelo

And speaking about the contemplation of beauty, allow me this opportunity to invite your readers to an upcoming Studiolo session! This spring in Florence there is a special once in a lifetime there is a wonderful exhibition of Donatello, one of the most important artists of the Renaissance. A hundred and thirty works of art from almost sixty museums feature in two exhibition venues: Palazzo Strozzi and the Bargello. In honor of this important exhibition, a very special Studiolo guest is coming on Saturday, May 21^st. Professor Victor Coonin, the author of the first biography of the artist to appear in 25 years, will talk to us about Donatello’s Secrets. 

I hope to see YOU there! You will find more details here: https://www.paolavojnovic.com/post/a-conversation-with-victor-coonin

PLEASE GIVE US YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS and EMAIL so MY READERS can contact you if they are so LUCKY to be heading to ITALY!

My email is Paola50122@gmail.com I try to post regularly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paola50122 where I post stories on art and daily life in Italy (where you never know what wonderful surprise is around the corner!) 

I am also on twitter: https://twitter.com/PaolaVojnovic

And to get notifications first of the upcoming videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PaolaVojnovic

 

THANK – YOU PAOLA for giving us an insight to your work and daily LIFE!

Thank you, Contessa, for having me as a guest! Wishing you and your readers a wonderful summer, filled with magic and wonder!

XXX 

WEll, I hope YOU enjoyed this CLASS on ITALIA and part of it’s HISTORY!

I am way over due for a TRIP to SEE FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

WE NEED TO FIX THAT!