ARTWORK HISTORY:
Our family is very much into "the Arts" in all it's forms, from music to art to chinaware and even classic old (quality) technology!
Our focus has always been landscapes, both Australian and New Zealand because we have connections with both countries but over the years our walls have become overcrowded with artworks from our past travels and although we love just about every painting we have, it's time to hang some new acquisitions and sadly this piece of Italian "street art" must now leave home!
You can see more Italian art of a similar nature HERE
THE ARTIST:
Signed lower right hand side, MK
Like most tourists to Rome, we visited the tourist "meccas" and in those days (1980's) there were Italian street artists ready and willing to sell their wonderful paintings to the tourists and taking home a painting was a bit different to the usual snapshot with the camera!
This is one of those paintings, like a busker, never judge the quality of the artist by their setting - buskers produce wonderful music and street artists also produce wonderful art.
We purchased this painting during the same trip as the various French Art Noveau art prints that we have on offer separately HERE, in the 1980's
We do not know the artiste who signs as MK, perhaps they are famous in Italy now, perhaps not. Does it really matter? Art is about the art and the story it tells or memories it brings back, not the artist per se.
SUBJECT OF THE PAINTING:
St Peters Square, The Vatican in Rome
Designed in the 17th century by the great artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Piazza San Pietro's monumental dimensions and beautiful symmetry will leave tourists in awe and it continues to hold an important place in the Catholic faith. Centre stage in this watercolour is the Basilica.
This is where the ancient Circus of Nero (a Roman Circus) once stood. It was here in the year 67 AD that Saint Peter, the first Pope of the Catholic Church, was crucified and became a martyr - Nero didn't like the Roman Christian's.
Although St Peters Square is vast, the painting is depicting a very narrow view of the Square which has particular relevance to those of the Catholic faith. Fortunately this is a little less like a "concept painting" that MK created (see HERE) but the number of tourists is very sparse, something that is very unusual at this location!
The painting is well coloured with nice tonal colouring.
MK - Piazza San Pietro
Watercolour on art paper
Original art - NOT A PRINT!
UNFRAMED
Artist has signed their work on the lower Right hand side (Black)
Artwork measurements: 220mm wide x 160mm high
NOTE: When framing, allow for at least a 10mm wide border around the artwork, particularly for the subject naming which is written lower left corner.
Art paper measurements: 298mm wide x 239mm high
Artwork is CLEAN
I have visually inspected this painting very carefully and although watercolours can be very delicate and can be subject to marks or spotting, this artwork remains in very good condition with no marks or damage visible at all.
You will notice in the photograph that the white border DOES have a couple of marks but these tend to be towards the outer edge and will not show if properly framed.
The rear of the art paper has no markings at all, either from the maker or the artist.
Shipping is no problem, we have always stored this artwork on a stiff cardboard "base" and then sealed within cellowrap (NOT shrinkwrap which can affect the painting) - this is the basic form in which it will be shipped (plus additional packaging of course)
