A Question Answered

I have always wondered where Piero Della Francesa got his inspiration for the hats he painted. No one else in Italy seemed to use these styles in their painting and this was just one of the things that so charms me about his work. Reading Piero's Light by Larry Witham gave me the answer. In 1439, the Roman Pope, the Byzantine Emperor and the Greek Church Patriarch, met in Florence; the Pope working hard to consolidate his power.  "'It was a visual feast by all accounts, Florentines already dressed brightly...  and to the Italians, the secular Byzantine officials and higher Greek clergy were an equally marvelous sight."  Records have placed Piero in Florence at this time. "That visit would have an impact on his future paintings, where he would feature oriental-style costumes." Puzzle solved.

Legend of the Cross, Dream of Constantine, by Piero della Francesca, 1452-62. Arezzo. Detail

Legend of the Cross, by Piero della Francesca, 1452-62. Arezzo. Detail

Legend of the Cross, by Piero della Francesca, 1452-62. Arezzo. Detail

Legend of the True Cross, detail (c. 1452-66, Fresco, San Francesco, Arezzo, Italy)

Swept Away

I was swept away last night when a friend [thanks Midge] posted the first work below by Piero della Francesca. So much for working. I needed to find out where they were, book tickets, reserve hotel, find my passport. A perfect dream for a cold winters night.

Legend of the True Cross - Exultation of the Cross, detail (c. 1452-66, Fresco, San Francesco, Arezzo, Italy)

Legend of the True Cross - Finding of the True Cross, detail (c. 1452-66, Fresco, San Francesco, Arezzo, Italy) 

Legend of the True Cross - Vision of Constantine, detail (c. 1452-66, Fresco, San Francesco, Arezzo, Italy) 

The Duke and Duchess Come Home

The framer called yesterday, "The Duke and Duchess are ready". We had bought a postcard of The Duke and Duchess of Urbino when we were in Florence last fall and finally we had it framed. The first time I saw it, it stopped me in my tracks and this time was no different. This double portrait stands on a pedestal in the middle of the gallery at eye level and the light and the remote, almost other worldliness of the sitters makes it remarkably powerful. In some ways a deceptively simple work, it always manages to elude one. They stare at each other through time while the back of the work is painted with a allegory depicting their triumphal chariots. She is enthroned amid the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity while he sits with the virtues Justice, Wisdom, Valour and Moderation. Must saw they look very fine in our kitchen and we have taken to calling ourselves the Duke and Duchess of Sutton Junction.

The Duke and Duchess of Urbino, Piero Della Francesca, [1416-1492]