In the New Sacristy of San Lorenzo, which Michelangelo began in 1520, stand the magnificent tombs, completed by 1534 of two members of the Medici family – Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino, and Guiliano, Duke of Nemours. On each of these tombs, Michelangelo places the dead men in a...
Andrea Mantegna was one of the foremost north Italian painters of the early Renaissance (1431-1506) and was the son-in-law of Jacopo Bellini. While there are several notable pieces of art, which could be discussed, what I want to highlight here are two of his engravings – Bacchanal with Silenus...
I have been reading quite a lot lately about Leonardo and just as an aside I thought I would share some sketches from both Leonardo and Rembrandt. I find these sketches fascinating. The first two are by Rembrandt and the second two by Leonardo. The second sketch by Leonardo...
Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) is known as the greatest Spanish composer of the Renaissance. He composed all his sacred music in Latin – 20 Masses, 52 motets and many other liturgical pieces – many of which show the beauty and subtlety of Palestrina, with whom he may have...
The inclusion by Michaelangelo in the painting of the Sistine Chape of The Drunkeness of Noah is both fascinating and somewhat curious. During the Middle Ages, the drunkenness of Noah had been a popular subject for artists, but the Renaissance era saw less of an interest in Noah and...
This is another painting by Paolo Veronese entitled the Marriage at Cana (1563) and it is nothing short of an extraordinary and breathtaking piece of art. Firstly, it measures 677 x 994 cm so any photographic depiction of it fails quite miserably to do it justice – it really just does...
I wanted to share this painting with you albeit that Carravaggio is recognised as an Italian Baroque master rather than a Renaissance master. Carravaggio (b.1571) is probably more well known for his David with the Head of Goliath and for his wild and turbulent life but this painting of the...
I have decided to do a series of short blogs on the relationship between Renaissance Art and wine and food and this is the first in that series. This one looks at three paintings of the Last Supper and the differences in which wine in particular is depicted. The Last...
Salvatore Zofrea was born in Borgia, Italy and moved to Australia when he was nine years of age. He was awarded the Sulman Prize in 1977, 1979 and 1982 and his work is held in many private and public collections, including the Vatican and the Museum of Modern Art, New...
I have just re-watched the extraordinary 2007 movie El Greco, the story of the Greek painter of the Spanish Renaissance, Domenicos Theotokopolous. What a sumptuous feast for the eyes! El Greco, as he became known was born in Fodele, Crete, a beautiful valley full of olive and orange trees....
Welcome to my love affair with the food, wine, history and culture of the Mediterranean, past and present. Here you will find not only recipes, drinks and fabulous products, but the history of the food and culture of the Mediterranean.
My purpose is to get you to explore and experience new tastes and along the way to immerse yourself in the wonderful history of this diverse and wonderful region – from Venice to Istanbul, Rome to Dubrovnik, Athens to Crete and all places in between and in the surrounds. Be prepared to be surprised, delighted and enthralled as you take this trip with me.
