I was introduced to Jane da Mosto a few months ago at a social and arts event in Venice. Holder of a zoology degree from the University of Oxford as well as a Masters degree from the Imperial College London, Jane is an environmental scientist and an experienced consultant on sustainable development and climate change.
“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, enunciated this, and would probably have upheld this view if he had seen the artwork of Damien Hirst, one of the most famous creators of contemporary art and reportedly the United Kingdom’s richest living artist. Or would he?
Blue… midnight blue, electric blue, royal blue, sky blue… According to public opinions polls conducted in Europe and North America, blue is the most popular colour with both men and women. It is a favourite of mine too. And the shade of blue I like the most is the Giotto blue. You’ve never heard of this shade before?
In our last article, as you may remember, we embarked on a hibernal visit to Vicenza. This week, we shall continue, and conclude, our impassioned tour of the “City of Palladio”.
How about eating? We have been sightseeing, walking a lot, shopping for hats, drinking one or two “Spritz” (or “Spritzes”?)… Now it’s high time we fed ourselves on local specialties. One of Vicenza’s best known recipes is the delicious – and quite nourishing! – baccalà mantecato alla Vicentina, codfish cooked with milk and olive oil, and served with polenta. The ideal dish for the snowy, magical atmosphere of a cold winter day in the Veneto.
How about starting with a quick quiz? Here are the clues… It is a relatively small but very cosmopolitan Italian city. More than two thousand years old. Lying about 60 kilometers west of Venice. Its name has a Latin root meaning “victorious”. Its steel, jewellery and textile industries have made it one of the country’s richest towns. Together with the superb villas built by Andrea Palladio, the celebrated Italian architect, it was listed in 1994 as a Unesco World Heritage site…
Who said “Vicenza”?… Congratulations!
Italian food, one of the great wonders of the modern world! One of my great passions too, as you probably know by now.
Today, I’d like to tell you about a one Michelin star restaurant which I am particularly fond of. It lies in Northern Italy, within the La Montecchia golf club, next to the beautiful La Montecchia estate, and its name is, can you guess?… yes, La Montecchia. Continue Reading →
Few Italian artists have captured the colours of the Veneto Renaissance, its luminous spaces and its splendid architecture as effectively as Paolo Veronese (1528-1588). A series of five exhibitions are currently bringing back to the Veneto masterpieces from Europe and North America which left the region centuries ago. Continue Reading →
“Have you ever been to the Arte Sella biodegradable exhibition, Katharina?
– The what? Biodegradable exhibition?! Where on earth is that being held? And for how long? If it’s biodegradable, I guess we have to hurry if we want to see it!”
My reply made my friend laugh. “No, we don’t have to hurry”, he said.
“You are going to love the place, I told my sister, after my brother and I picked her up at the Venice airport.
– I’m sure I will, she replied. Judging from the pictures I’ve seen…
– And speaking of pictures, you’ll see, the rooms of the villa are covered with actual Tiepolos!
– With actual what? she asked me, a little lost.
– With frescoes by Tiepolo, Giambattista Tiepolo, the famous Italian painter!?” Continue Reading →
“So, what wonder are you promising us today, Katharina? my brother asked me on the fourth day of our family holiday at the Villa Valmarana.
– Well, today I suggest we get romantic and head for the hometown of Romeo and Juliet…” Continue Reading →
