Artists in Florence #1

Florence is a magnet for artists.  It has been for centuries.  Artists come from all over the world to paint, study and be inspired.

Recently, we met a talented English artist from London who spends part of his time in Florence.  We visited the by-appointment-only studio showing his recent work and we were impressed.  We thought we would share it with you. 

An imaginary landscape by Rory Haran

Pitigliano: Rainn on the Horizon by Rory Haran

Pitigliano is a beautiful hill town in Tuscany.  We visited Pitigliano during a prior trip. We think Rory's painting does the town justice.  Pitigliano is known for many things, including its longstanding Jewish community.  Jews left Rome for Tuscany and other places to escape the counterreformation.  Much later in time, during the Fascist persecution of Jews starting in 1938, the townspeople helped their Jewish neighbors escape into hiding. 

Rory and his studio are planning a show in the Spring. We will definitely attend.    

P.S.  The hard evidence of the large number of artists in Florence is the large number of art supply shops all over the city.  It seems there is a shop every couple of blocks.  And these are serious art supply shops, with a great varieties of paints, brushes and other tools of the trade.  And the usually have people inside purchasing what they need to practice their art.  Florence--a good place for artists and their suppliers.