Watercolour 7" x 10"I finally finished adding some colour to my sketch of Bernini's statue of the elephant supporting an Egyptian obelisk from the Piazza della Minerva in Rome. This little painting is a gift for my friend Philippa who posed quite a challenge by assuming I was going to be able to sketch it at all!
The Italians' pet name for the statue is il pulcino della Minerva. I found a very interesting blog that attempts to explain this and shows some of Bernini's early sketches for dealing with the obelisk.
Hope you like it Philippa.
The Italians' pet name for the statue is il pulcino della Minerva. I found a very interesting blog that attempts to explain this and shows some of Bernini's early sketches for dealing with the obelisk.
Hope you like it Philippa.
16 comments:
I love the way you've dealt with the recession and modulated the washes. Really lovely! Your friend should be very pleased.
I'm sure Philippa will love this. I'm glad she assumed you would be able to do this, and she was right. It looks great with the color of the buildings. Ciao!
Really lovely. I especially admire the modelling on the elephant.
Beautiful work. Your friend should be very pleased.
What a lucky friend. Lovely painting.
I love your light and shadows - great colors.
what I love best: that aside from a great painting the pantheon in the background is like a hidden treasure! I went to the links you had posted and read the story in Italian (whew...took me awhile!) and then found the English version and was happy that I had mostly comprehend the Italian version. I think it wonderful that Bernini snubbed Father Paglia by pointing the elephant's behind toward the monestary! I must find this statue when in Rome!
Thank you all so much. Every watercolour I learn a little more. It just hard to remember it all at the time ;) Next step is to take the paints on location.
Marta - thank you. I'm not sure how the link took you to the Italian version but you were obviously up to it anyway. Pretty easy to find this little fellow from the Pantheon. You'll love him.
I love your blocks of color, Ms S! The tiny thumbnail doesn't do this sketch justice, though. Can you post larger images?
Laura - Thank you. I've just discovered I can post larger images. I've changed the last three posts.
I do, very much indeed.
Oh Roma! Bellisima!
Judith - Thank you. I'm looking forward to some of your cooking! :)
Dear Anita - You sound like you are seriously in need of a week in Rome! Lovely to have you drop in.
This whole painting in its entirety is harmonious and pleasing! The statue is beautiful against the buildings in the background...ahh..talent, talent, talent...!
Ronell
Among many things, I really love the way this blossomed from a sketch to a painting.
Ronell - Gosh - that's a wonderful comment - something to attempt to live up to! Thank you so much.
Casey - Thank you too!
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