Reprint: Borsheim Art Newsletter:
by Kelly Borsheim copyright 10 December 2009- CONTENTS:
- New Drawing: Borgo degli Albizi - Firenze, Italia
- Italian Street Painting
- Save the Date: Hawaiian Workshop Sept 4-11, 2010
- Tabernacoli Fiorentini
- Lana Thompson: artist and gallery owner
- Blog Highlights: Watch the carving of a new marble sculpture
- Subscription Info.
A tiny tabernacle: in this rare case
serves as a donation slot for money to feed the homeless
Via Di Mezzo, Florence, Italy
All photos by Kelly Borsheim
Dear Art Lover,
I hope that you are enjoying all that the seasons have to offer. I myself have been carving stone and painting portrait commissions, as well as enjoying all of the art events that I have been invited to attend.
I am also missing Italy. Borgo degli Albizi is one of my favorite streets in central Florence. I rode my bike down that street often on my way home or into "centro." I like the variety of shops along this street and the stone buildings in the ever-changing light. And so, I would like to introduce to you my latest charcoal and pastel drawing of a couple walking in a nighttime rain down Borgo degli Albizi.
[Updated: 14 December 2009: This drawing has sold to a private collector in California. The link above is for the print.]
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SAVE THE DATE: September 4 - 11, 2010
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| Birds of Paradise, a diptych, 12 x 24, acrylic with silver metallic paint by Kelly Borsheim |
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Tabernacoli Fiorentini (Florentine Tabernacles)
Italy often strikes me as the land of devotion (of many kinds!) and so it made sense for me to share some of that with you in this Christmas newsletter. One cannot spend much time in Florence before noticing the “tabernacoli fiorentini” – Florentine tabernacles. They are everywhere, about 1200 in total, and in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. One of my favorite tour guides is my Florence-born friend Simone. I do not always believe every story he tells me, but he has a way of presenting much of Florence’s history in a manner that makes me think and sometimes laugh.
One evening on our way to what he calls the best brewery in all of Firenze, he told me about the ‘tabernacoli fiorentini.’
At some point in history, someone noticed that going to church helped to spread the plague. It seems that a large group of people congregating indoors was not an effective way to reduce the spread of contagious diseases. Any church go-er believes that NOT going to church just will not do, so artists and architects were asked to come to the rescue. Thus, shrines depicting the Madonna, often with child or the entire sacred family, were built on the outside of churches, and often on the corners of the streets to allow people to worship out in the fresh air.
Or, as Simone put it: “I tabernacoli furono istituiti perchè la peste nelle chiese fiorentine era responsabile di molti contagi e allora fu deciso di celebrare le messe sulla strada, negli angoli con i tabernacoli che dovevano rappresentare la Madonna” [“The shrines were established because the Florentine churches were responsible for many infections of the plague and it was then decided to celebrate Masses on street corners with the tabernacles that were to represent the Madonna.”]
Other sources say this form of devotional art preceded Christianity. Originally, these shrines were “temples with sacred images of the house or protectors of the wayfarers. The custom was then maintained with the emergence of Christianity.”
Some of the art inside these windows is good stuff. Other tabernacles are more like folk art, what I might call heartfelt, if lacking in technique. Each in its way is worthy of cherishing. I was surprised at how often people still place fresh flowers and objects in these tabernacles. It was not until I began to photograph the tabernacoli fiorentini that I realized just how difficult it is to really see these devotional artworks.
Florence I find challenging to photograph because the buildings are so close together that light can be elusive. And there is so much glare in the plastic or glass coverings of the shrines that one sees reflections of architecture more than the art inside. Graffiti surrounds many tabernacoli but I have never seen graffiti ON an actual shrine. I feel glad that taggers have some sort of honor code. I include here some of my images with addresses when I remember them. Over the last two decades a group called “Friends of Florentine Museums” has been restoring these devotional artworks throughout the Renaissance City. Enjoy.
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| This is the church Simone showed me. This 'tabernacolo fiorentino' is located between the Arno River and the Porta San Frediano. From the Porta, follow the wall to the Arno and you cannot miss her. San Frediano zona, Florence, Italy |
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| San Frediano zona, Florence, Italy |
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| You can see the Porta San Frediano on the right. Zona San Frediano, Florence, Italy |
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| Zona San Frediano, Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Spada, Restored 1995, the city decorated for Christmas 'tabernacolo fiorentino', Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Spada, Restored 1995, lit, but not overly 'tabernacolo fiorentino', Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Spada (detail) 'tabernacolo fiorentino', Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Spada (detail) 'tabernacolo fiorentino', Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Vigna Nuova (on right) near Piazza C. Goldoni, Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Vigna Nuova (on right) near Piazza C. Goldoni, Florence, Italy |
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| 1714 by Giuseppe Moriani, Restaurato 1995 Borgo La Croce, Florence, Italy |
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| 1714 by Giuseppe Moriani, Restaurato 1995 Borgo La Croce, Florence, Italy |
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| holes in the windows allow the fresco to breathe 1714 by Giuseppe Moriani, Restaurato 1995 Borgo La Croce, Florence, Italy |
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| not far from Piazza Salvemini and Standa Via Pietra Piana, Florence, Italy |
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| one of the more beautiful bas reliefs I have seen but could not find the artist's name Via Pietra Piana, Florence, Italy |
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| I included this image because I rarely see women in fur coats depositing trash in America. Via Giovanni Da Verrazzano, Florence, Italy |
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| La Sacra Famiglia' Affresco Di Giovanni Mannozzi 1590-1636 Via Giovanni Da Verrazzano, Florence, Italy |
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| Tabernacolo near Teatro Verdi Via Ghibellina, Florence, Italy |
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| Catty-corner from this tabernacolo is Pozzo Divino a wine enoteca owned by my friend Pino, and where I have exhibited my art before I understand that his place used to hold prisoners destined for death in the nearby Bargello. Via Ghibellina, Florence, Italy |
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| I love the bikes! near Zecchi Art Supply and the Duomo Via dello Studio, Florence, Italy |
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| Tabernacolo of the Madonna - lovely Via dello Studio, Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Chiesa Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Chiesa Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| You may see again the holes in the window to help the art breathe Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| Going UP past the Annigoni Museum Via di Belvedere, Florence, Italy |
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| his decorative gate protects and obscures. Via di Belvedere, Florence, Italy |
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| Note the unusual lines of light on the wall to the right of the tabernacolo. I have yet to discover the origin of these reflexions. Catene? Via San Agostino Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| Another view of the light and tabernacle Via San Agostino Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| Devotional Art 'tabernacolo fiorentino', Florence, Italy |
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| Fresco in an arched tabernacle Devotional art, Florence, Italy |
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| But . . . perhaps the lack of light and visibility protect the outdoor art? Via dei Preti Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| Via dei Preti Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| Via Maurizio Bufalini (close to Duomo) the art of devotion, Florence, Italy |
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| Via Maurizio Bufalini 'Madonna col bambino', Florence, Italy |
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| Via Maurizio Bufalini (with the Duomo reflected) Madonna and Child art, Florence, Italy [lovely angel sculpted into the wall underneath] |
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| Sometimes one must look way UP for inspiration.
Via dei Geppi Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| Via dei Geppi Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| 'In Memoria di Nello e Bruna Giovannini' restored in 2000 Via Camillo Cavour, Florence, Italy |
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| 'In Memoria di Nello e Bruna Giovannini' restored in 2000 Via Camillo Cavour, Florence, Italy |
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| In Memoria Di Albertina Brvschi Madonna Col Bambino By Matteo Rosselli 1578-1650 Via F. Portinari (near SMN Hospital), Florence, Italy |
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| Detail of heart-shaped objects place inside the tabernacle Madonna Col Bambino By Matteo Rosselli 1578-1650 Via F. Portinari (near SMN Hospital), Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Colonna (I think) a bit of variety, Florence, Italy |
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| Via della Colonna (I believe) not a Madonna, Florence, Italy |
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| Via dei Macci - near a pharmacy (green cross sign) Zona Santa Croce, Florence, Italy |
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| The old with the new, Via dei Macci Zona Santa Croce, Florence, Italy |
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| I liked the ghostly look of the white stone (marble?) under the reflective glass. Madonna and Child tabernacle, Florence, Italy |
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| Devotional Art Florence, Italy |
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| Near Casa di Dante (Dante's House) Florence, Italy |
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| Corner of Borgo Pinti and the Viale Florence, Italy |
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| Near the Palazzo Strozzi Devotional art, Florence, Italy |
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| Devotional art Via dell'Orto, Florence, Italy |
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| Ave Maria Borgo Lorenzo, Florence, Italy |
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| 'tabernacolo fiorentino' Zona San Spirito, Florence, Italy |
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| Via del Monte alle Croci Florence, Italy |
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| Vicolo dei Malespini Florence, Italy |
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| Maybe: Costa di San Giorgio up the road from the Annigoni Museum, Florence, Italy |
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| Sad to see things casually draped over devotional art Florence, Italy |
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| Outside of the Porta Romana Florence, Italy |
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| Encroaching Shadows on the tabernacle Via Matteo Palmieri, Florence, Italy |
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| One of my favorites . . . Via Ricasoli, Florence, Italy |
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| Via dei Rustici Florence, Italy |
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| Corner of Via dei Pilastri and Borgo Pinti Florence, Italy |
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| The only dragon I have ever seen, depicted with St. George, I suppose. Via dei Pepi e Via dei Pilastri, Florence, Italy |
Modern Tabernacolo Fiorentino
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| Stelleconfuse is an Italian street artist from FlorenceLocation: near Via de' Bardi, Florence, Italy |
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| Stelleconfuse is an Italian street artist from FlorenceLocation: near Via de' Bardi, Florence, Italy |
When in Florence, Italy, contact the “Associazione Culturale Florence
Oltrarno” and ask for a tour specifically for this hidden but invaluable
art form.
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Lana Thompson: A Tribute
This newsletter is dedicated to my friend Lana Thompson, who lost a three-year battle with leukemia in November. Lana and her husband Joe Mole ran a gallery in La Grange, Texas, which featured my art, as well as the work of many other Texas-based artists. They shut down their gallery years ago so that they could focus on Lana's recovery.
Lana was a joy to be around and she also created devotional art. I include a few images here of her work, sent to me by her brother-in-law and one of her collectors, Richard Mole.
"The Virgin of Bourbon Street" is one of her many works of fabric art and hangs on a wall. The other three images are of two tabernacle types of constructions that Lana created for Richard and are definitely Italy-inspired. Lana studied many of the symbols and imagery of ancient cultures. I am honored that her husband Joe gave so many of these interesting books to me for use in my studio.
If you would like to read more about Lana, her poetry and art, please read my blog dedication on 30 November 2009.
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Blog Highlights:
Watch the progress of my largest marble carving to date. The Gymnast starts here:Thank you for reading and by all means, forward this newsletter on to anyone you think would enjoy it. Pace (peace),
Kelly Borsheim
10 December 2009
2 comments:
Kelly, I hope you are well and stay so. So much tragedy all over the world. To see the empty streets in beloved Italian cities and see the death toll breaks my heart. It is a worldwide plague and I hope that we can lick it
This set of pictures is wonderful. Did you make eit into a book?
Barb cantor
Hi Barb, so wonderful to hear from you again! Are you hunkered down somewhere in lockdown?
That is a lovely idea to make a book of the tabernacoli fiorentini. I wonder if someone has...
Sadly, between computers not working all the time and dropping a major backup drive of images, I am not sure I still have the original images of these. I have SO MANY images. My original publishing of this article was December 2009!
I am well, just a few allergies that I have every year. I am lucky because I live in the hills outside of any town. So, I carve during the lovely days and have been working on 2-d works inside and preparing for a couple of shows.
Stay safe, this is a trip!
Cheers,
Kelly
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