Countryside

This is a classic subject in our gallery: a small village in the Tuscan coutryside with some houses and a lot of nature. The darker trees are cypresses, distinctive of Tuscany since IX century B.C. because they are the symbol of immortality and eternity due to its longevity. Etruscan started the application of this species of trees to cultivate them for ornamemtal purpose and then for the wood. During the centuries there was the tradition to put two cypresses at the entrance of each house to outline the property. 

This is a monochromatic artwork based on the use of Yellow Stone from Siena which is used in many different hues to give the tridimensionality to the whole composition. Together with Gabbro from the countryside around Florence the stone painting makes you feel the heat of the Tuscan countryside in a summer afternoon.

Stones used: Green Gabbro, Magnesite, Afyon.

Year of composition: 2023

Size: cm 8x10

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.