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This is a preliminary itinerary and will be altered to accommodate seasonal activities, local festivals or the availability of guides or lecturers. However the essential content of the itinerary will remain the same. B L D means that breakfast, lunch and/or dinner will be included that day.
Day 1
ROME TO MONTEFALCO L D
You will be met at Spoleto railway station to be transferred to
your accommodation near Montefalco. (Transfer from Rome's Fiumicino
airport is included for Art Gallery members on Art Gallery Tours or
otherwise can be arranged if required, and cost will depend on the number
travelling.) There is time to
settle in and then we stroll into Montefalco for an afternoon orientation
before returning to Camiano for a welcome dinner and relaxing evening.
Day 2
MASTER CLASS B
L D
This morning we travel
first to Foligno to the local art supply shop to stock up on any
materials you might be needing. In the afternoon we travel nearby to a
tiny hilltop village, home to renowned artist
Neil Moore. Neil renovated the ruins of a
13th century castle turning it into a family home and studio. In
our first master class Neil will introduce us to his work, style and
techniques which have been influenced by 20 years immersed in the rich
history and artistic heritage of Umbria. Neil describes his paintings as "magic realism" a
combination of ancient and modern - like Italy itself with its lively
culture grown out of the wonderful past that is ever - present. His
work can be viewed on his website at
www.neilmoore.it.
Day 3
UMBRIAN PATCHWORK LANDSCAPE & STUDIO VISIT B L D
A little known part of
Umbria, tucked away in the nearby countryside provides us with a
breathtaking landscape lost in time. We position ourselves in a
panoramic and peaceful setting overlooking the quintessential view,
castles, medieval walled villages immersed in a patchwork of natural
patterns formed by the vineyards, wheatfields and olive groves of the region. Once
we are ready to trade the solitude of our setting, we step back in time
to explore some of these glorious smaller villages, off the tourist
track. Old entrance gate ways, turrets, towers, merlins and broken
walls provide subject in these sleepy little places. Lunch is on a local
wine estate. Afternoon visit to the studio of a local artist
Day 4
SPELLO & STUDIO VISIT B D
Today we head to the
stunning medieval town of Spello, dressed in pink stone and home to a
great treasure of art, "The Annunciation" by Pinturicchio. The essential
Spello however is the labyrinth of tiny laneways lined with flower clad
balconies. There is great choice of subject matter today as you
may be inspired by the toga clad Roman sculptures standing guard over the
entrance gates or in capturing the spirit of the cobblestone laneways.
In the afternoon we visit
the studio of a local artist.
Day 5
SCULPTURE GARDENS B D
Today we travel to the
nearby region of Lazio to visit two special gardens. The mystical gardens of “Bomarzo” or “Sacred Woods” is our first visit.
Created in the 17th century by the hunchback Duke of Orsini for the love
of his wife, the garden has a surreal quality which inspired Salvador Dali
to make a film here. Fantasy and horror mix with art’s triumph over
nature as mossy sculptures provide wonderful material to feed our
imaginations. Next and in complete contrast, we travel to “Villa Lante”, considered to be a masterpiece of renaissance garden art. Waterfalls,
lakes and fountains decorate terraces in mannerist style, where
allegory and architecture merge with the four elements of nature,
representing the perfection of heaven brought to earth. Wonderful
patterns, with fine decorative detail in a panoramic and peaceful
setting beckon us to lose ourselves for the rest of the afternoon .
Day 6
DERUTA & FRESCOES B D
In the morning we travel to Deruta, to
watch the artists of Deruta working on the
dramatically colourful maiolica ceramics designs which are
characteristic of the town. Under the guidance of Neil
Moore, we meet this afternoon at the church of San Francesco in
Montefalco. With special permission we are able to set up in the apse
of the choir under the gaze of the beautiful 15th century frescos by Benozzo
Gozzoli. In what is considered to be his best work, we enjoy his
version of the “life of St. Francis” Italy’s most beloved Saint.
Inspired by the revolutionary frescoes attributed to Giotto in Assisi,
Gozzoli indulges in his favourite cityscapes, especially the
background view of Montefalco painted over 500 years ago.
Day 7
SPOLETO / BASS RELIEF
B L D
The special qualities of
the morning light are captured as we travel to the beautiful town
of Spoleto. Our first stop is the church of "St. Pietro Fuori le
Mura" situated on forested Monteluco, Spoleto's holy
mountain. The facade dating from the days of the Dukes of Spoleto
may inspire you to sketch some of the rich abstract patterns and Romanesque details
sculptured as bass relief. Later, we head into Spoleto where we begin
with a short orientation stroll entering the town over the dramatic "Ponte delle Torri",
a medieval aqueduct bridge with 10 towering arches to the main square.
With the rest of the day free, the beauty of Spoleto will not disappoint.
Departing in the afternoon, we return via the studio of a local
artist.
Day 8
STUDIO VISITS
B D
Morning
and afternoon visits to
a selection of the homes and studios in our network of local artists.
A feature of the itinerary will be
the private homes and studios of local artists and viewings of
their work including detailed explanations of working methods in oil
painting, portraiture and etching, and practical demonstrations.
Day 9
MARKETS & CELLAR LUNCH
B L D
This morning is market day
in Montefalco. All the drama of a traditional farmers market comes
alive with a smorgasbord of fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables
enticingly displayed against the medieval walls of the city. We
are free to browse and seek a quiet spot to enjoy the theatre of life
with the locals coming and going and the farmers selling their produce.
Rich colors in a lively setting, allow us to capture a traditional day
in the
life of Umbria. Lunch is on a local wine estate.
Day10
BEVAGNA B D
Our drive to nearby Bevagna
winds along the edge of a hill where we can clearly see the cities of
Spello and Assisi across the broad valley. It is the piazza in Bevagna, considered to be one of the most evocative in Umbria which
draws us today. Decorated with two of Umbria's most splendid
Romanesque churches built with Roman ruins believed to be taken
from the pagan temple of Isis, recycled with subtle geometry,
incorporating muscular stone interiors and unusual Egyptian capitals. There is much more to the walled town of Bevagna however, with a
delightful main shopping street displaying traditional crafts that makes
for great diversion as we find a special place to set up easel for the
last time. This evening we enjoy a final farewell dinner.
Day 11 2009 DEPARTURES ON Wed 29 Apr, Wed
10 Jun, Sun 6 Sep & Wed 14 Oct
Transport to/from Spoleto station at
the end of the tour
(Transfer to Rome's
Fiumicino airport is included for Art Gallery members on Art Gallery
Tours or can be arranged if required, and cost will depend on the number
travelling.) |
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