I’m still waiting for things to settle down for me at home, but I recently treated myself to another staycation, this time focussing on Florence. I was particularly interested in “visiting” the Uffizi Gallery as it’s a place that the artist Duncan Grant spent time, and while there he painted a copy of the Duke of Urbino which currently hangs in the Dining Room at Charleston Farmhouse.
I enjoyed a couple of YouTube walking tours around Florence, and spotted a few nice images to screen grab.
Here are my sketches:
It was great to have the opportunity to research the Duke of Urbino, official title “The Duke and Duchess of Urbino Federico da Montefeltro and Battista Sforza” by Pierro della Francesca, painted in 1473, and I had no idea it was a diptych. His wife looks pale and pallid as it was painted after her death, and the slightly ethereal air is intentional. The Duke’s profile draws attention to his nose, where apparently having lost his right eye in battle, he requested for part of his nose to be removed so that he could see to his right from his remaining eye; the bridge of the nose gets in the way, hence the intriguing side-view.
I really enjoy these staycations as it gives me the chance to focus on places I simply wouldn’t get to otherwise. Next week is a virtual visit to NYC as I regroup after a few months of disruption! I’m looking forward to getting the gouache out again.
