Pink sky

Some trips to Africa inspired this painting. The changing landscape illuminated by the colors of the sky, a fairytale sky where the prairies merge towards infinity. 

The Scarpelli family in 2020, just before the arrival of COVID, took a trip in Kenya and went on safari in the Tsavo Est National Park. The safari started in the early morning and it allowed Leonardo to take inspiration from the magnificent sunrise all over the park.

Stones used: Yellow stone from Siena, Rodonite, Gabbro, Green Marble from the Alps, Portugal Rose.

Year of composition: 2023

Size: cm 31,3x38,3

Artist: Leonardo Scarpelli

An original and authentic hand-made artwork created whith the antique technique of Commesso Fiorentino which is unique for Florence.

Commesso Fiorentino was born with Medici family, one of the most important families in Florence, in the second half of 1500.

The research of the stones is made by the mosaicist that must be able to choose from a rich and wide range of shades and veins: for this reason the artists personally search and collect the stones retracing the paths of the Medici researchers.

The processing starts by drawing the subject on adhesive paper, that is then cut into small tamplates that will be attached to the variegated shades of the stones following the visual instinct, the innate gift of the artist and his perfect knowledge of the materials. The shape of the little piece will be cut by hand with a chestnut, cherry or hazelnut wood bow and an iron wire that flows with abrasive powder and water. It creates a very precise and inclined cut to form the essential spaces to accommodate the glue, made by artisans with beeswax and pine tree resin. The different stones are previously glued onto a slate surface which acts as a support during the cutting and filing phase. The various pieces which form the composition are adjusted in shape with diamond files, glued together so that the joints are invisible, flattened and finally polished in order to create a perfect decorative harmony showing the colors of nature in all their radiance.