May 2012
14 posts
a quieter note...
Back to Michelangelo…on the Via Guilia at the back of the great Renaissance Palace Farnese is this lovely arch designed by the man himself. Palazzo Farnese is one of, if not the, most beautiful Renaissance palaces in all of Rome or anywhere. Michelangelo had his hand in some of the design, consider the facade and the balcony.
But here the arch was the beginning of a bridge that would...
look up and note the "pen"...
Here you are at the crossing of the great transept and nave. Bernini’s bronze, spiraling baldacchino is on your left - that is another story. But look up to the round mosaic on the corner…the right hand of the figure is holding a quill pen….that pen is 5 feet long. That maybe can give you some sense of size. Or maybe not…
so go inside now....
Enter the nave of St. Peter’s. The nave leads down to the transept or cross bar of this Latin cross layout, if you will. So this church is built on a Latin cross plan, the cross is the universal symbol of the “bridge” between realms - here and the divine. Yes it is a universal symbol an archetype.
back on the ground....
Here is a great example of the “external” dome designed by Michelangelo - (hence his portrait on top) an egg shape - to be enjoyed from outside. Because once you get inside, in this case, the scale is so large you cannot get a handle on the enormous size of this church. St. Peter’s is called a basilica - a floor plan that originated with the ancient Romans.
PS not all...
your view...
Once up there you will have this stunning view out between the curved arms of Bernini’s colonnade. Dont’ get mixed up Bernini (the trouble maker) was busy during the Baroque Period - think 1600. But the arms do make a lovely embrace of the crowds.
Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
A great name for a great artist - maybe not such a nice guy - but quite a talent. He lived from 1475-1564. Michelangelo, as we best know him, lived in the period of the High Renaissance, think in general the 1500s. Most people head to the Vatican to see his Sistine Chapel, which is mind-blowing. But you can find bits of him in many parts of Rome.
To see this portrait you need to ascend to the...
speaking of bridges...
The “Broken Bridge” or Ponte Rotto isn’t far from the Ponte Sisto. Built in the 2nd centure bce the oldest stone Roman bridge or what is left of it. Once it connected Trastevere to the Forum Boarium, or the cattle market. On the Forum side if you look at the river bank you will find the “Great Drain” exit. The Cloaca Maxima is responsible for draining the Roman...
morning...
The Ponte Sisto spans the Tiber River linking Trastevere to Rome’s historic center. Built between 1473-1479 commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV. It is a footbridge and every morning when I would leave my apartment I would cross this bridge with gratitude for the opportunity to live in Rome. Built in the period of the High Renaissance too, think Michelangelo and Raphael!
implusive pizza!
Pizza capriciosa!!! I think my favorite! But there are so many to choose from. Capriciosa means capricious pizza…impulsive pizza! And why not have a sunny side egg in the middle with olives and artichokes and mushrooms and tomato too. Always there is a meat as well but that changes from place to place as do some of the other ingredients. This one has sausage but prosciutto is lovely. And...
further along...
Continue past the Tarpeian Rock and you will have a different view of the Roman Forum than most people will see. The Temple of Saturn to your right and the Temple of Vespasian on your left with the Arch of Septimius Severus ahead.
go around back...
The Tarpeian Rock is the steep cliff-like side of the Capitol Hill (Campidoglio). Mostly people stride up the Capitol via Michelangelo’s grand stair on the opposite side of the hill. If you go around back you will see this cliff that was used to put traitors to death back in the twilight of Ancient Rome. The Capitol Hill was one of the founding hills of Rome, along with the Palatine. As on...
look at this DOOR!
and the wonderful young people too! But with all seriousness notice the scale! This ancient door was originally in the Roman Forum. It was the door of the Curia, the Senate House. It now adorns the Head Church of Rome - Saint John Lateran.
another take...
Across the Roman Forum towards the Palatine. So you must imagine the early view, a marshy valley with streams trickling through. The Iron Age people on top of the Palatine cutting a path down to the valley to get water. Today you can see the Shrine of Juterna, goddess of hot spring, ponds, brooks, mineral baths in some ways a healer. But to find the shrine you must go back behind the Temple of...
Huts to palaces...
The Palatine Hill or Palatino, hosted humble beginnings, the post holes of the thatched huts of a small village date as far back as the 8th century bce are in evidence. A modest reed hut was preserved (and replaced) on the hill until the 4th century - the House of Romulus.
Time brought early temples during the Republic era (5-3 century bce) until 44bce Augustus put his house on the hill. And...
April 2012
16 posts
pasta?
“pasta” is a term used for most anything made of flour. Una pasta can refer to a sweet from a bakery. Wait until you, my travelers, see the grand pasticeria near us. You will need more than una pasta!
a seduction few can resist...
How is gelato different than ice cream?
Gelato takes a slower churn, thus less air is whipped in to the mixture giving you a creamier and denser consistency.
Gelato has a higher ratio of milk and eggs to cream and so it has less fat.
With less fat you will have a cleaner taste on the tongue and more of the flavor comes through.
always the anchovy...
There is always room for an anchovy or two!
Just say "NO"!
And put away all bottles of salad dressing!
On moving to Rome in 1986 my taste buds came alive! Have you really tasted the variety of greens that exist, the bitter and the sweet, felt the crisp and the soft on your tongue? A squeeze of lemon, or pinch of salt, a light dress of olive oil….that is it. Taste the leaves not the dressing.
Of course you could smash and anchovy in the bottom of...
A perfect host for anchovies!
Puntarelle – Chicory stems that are hand split, put in ice water to curl and then sauced with anchovies, oil and garlic. This is one of my favorites. And yes it makes a meal! Very Roman - don’t be afraid!
across the Foro Romano...
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/630157_The-city-and-the-forest.html
The oldest of the Forums. Once a little valley with trickling stream cutting between the Palatine and Capitol hills to wind it’s way to the Tiber River, the layers of “storia” go deep.
paint this light...
Go to my exhibit at Red Raven Gallery in Lancaster City…I have tried, really I have, to catch this light! I think however, only Turner the British artist of the early 19th century really could render light successfully but, I have tried.
Stand outside, looking at the painting in the window, and you will see glimpses of this light.
Colors of Bologna...
Taking a slight detour north, pondering the Jewish cuisine and circumstances and now colors.
closed in as well...
Bologna’s Jewish Ghetto…leaving via the gate…
the neighborhood....
Find your carciofi here! And don’t forget to look at this marvelous house, the House of Manilio. Lorenzo Manilio built this house in 1468 to celebrate his love for the city and as he puts it “While Rome is returning to its original shape/glory”.
a perfect little something...
Carciofi alla Romana – are equally good. They are slowly cooked in water, oil, garlic and herbs…and yes you do eat the stem and all…so good.
Carciofi alla Giudia - Jewish Artichokes
I delight in surprises. I love anticipation. Well who doesn’t? But one bite of this little lovely….and a new experience will open to you. Light - savory - delicately crisp…a transformation.
After a good bit of preparation…the artichokes are sort of smashed flat then fried. We will have these when we lunch in the Jewish Ghetto neighborhood if you like.
artichokes - carciofi
Should you be preparing your artichokes here at home, do not throw the stems away….eat them! Oh yes yes they are wonderful. Of course there are so many ways to prepare you will have to decide. Or just come with me and we shall eat them daily, when in season!
in comparison...
…as compared to that of St. Peters which was a design, of some 14 centuries later, buy the man himself, Michelangelo Buonarroti.
This would be considered an “external” dome, best appreciated from the outside. Both remarkable.
Bits and Pieces...
In preparation for another sojourn to Rome and outskirts, with friends, as well as the printing of the Skin of the Milk” A Roman Sketchbook…occasional bits will be popping up for pondering.
Consider the Pantheon - to all the Gods
“Marcus Agrippa son of Luscious, thrice consul, made this” that is what the text says across the front of this great building. Hadrian is crediting...
March 2012
47 posts
California dark sky...
Wisconsin cool celestial.
land of the rainbow palette...
in all the most subtle and dramatic hues…this land is more than purple mountains…it is pale moon blues and hot loud oranges.
China Town jade...
and red.
a wet contrast...
…are the fields, striped with water outside Jackson Louisiana.
towards Austin..
Austin Nevada…another remarkable place. Pops up from miles of space to be a town of crumbling character.
As the sun dropped behind us a red-pink band of light lay on the horizon.
all in the fields of gold...
North Dakota gold. Fields rolled away from us from miles. And we rolled for 685 miles on this particular day. Montana to North Dakota and the going was effortless.
Towns as empty as the fields - a sad beauty. Farming and oil keeping heads above water.
the most recent...
“A Fisherman’s Dream”
of the "Tin Family"...
the mom.
art intended...
by one man, to bring people to a land of farming and tiny towns diminishing. Just maybe the sculptures would save the town of Regent ND.
to "Enchanted Highways"
in the flat lands of North Dakota.
to full...
America the varied....
Empty, nearly…
town after town...
across the middle of the country…
again
smoke from one....
chimney. Otherwise Monida MT was seemingly empty save for us. And we saw many Monidas.
California hills...
and wines!
the wonder of duct tape...
And duct tape translates beautifully as a nighttime road reflecting the stars and moon with inky black sky above.
how the art grows...
Storm Sky….those tornado skies evolved in the sketchbook as torn black and purple pages. A quick suggestion of color and energy.
Contact Nevada patina....