In The Nature: Goldfinch

The Goldfinch is known as the "king of finches," beloved both for its colorful plumage and the sweetness of its song.

In the wild, goldfinches are found across a vast territory, extending across almost all of continental Europe. In Italy, it is a fairly common bird, preferring wooded countryside, although it is increasingly moving to cities near lush parks. Goldfinch populations also live in Central Asia, North Africa, Mesopotamia, and Persia.

The Goldfinch is a brightly colored passerine bird, characterized by its unmistakable red facial mask bordered by a white band that encircles the head and covers the throat, ears, and forehead. The back, flanks, and chest are brown, and the wings are black with a broad yellow band. The tail is also black in color.

The goldfinch is best known for its melodious song and colorful plumage, often bred for its beauty and song. It is a symbol of Christ's Passion in Christian art and an important seed-eating bird, protected for its wild nature and often the victim of illegal trapping.

The goldfinch is in fact a symbol of the Passion, due to the characteristic crimson colour that distinguishes the plumage of its head.

Stones used: 

Year of composition: 2025

Size: cm 13x16

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.