Experience Sicily

Tag: art

  • Renato Guttuso, “The Sulphur Miners”

    This 1949 watercolor by Renato Guttuso (1912-1987) is an example of the Bagherese painter’s exploration of the daily life and struggles of Sicilians. “The Sulphur Miners” illustrates men working in the arduous industry that was a significant element of Sicily’s economy for centuries, especially in the areas around Caltanissetta and Girgenti.

  • Folk Painting of a Trinacria on Ceramic Jug

    This Trinacria is painted on a ceramic jug in the same folk-style as a Sicilian cart might be painted. In this case, the Trinacria not only possesses wings, but snakes–versus wheat–decorating the head at the center of the three legs. My friend Dolores DeLuise explained the history and symbolism of the Trinacria beautifully: “The Trinacria…

  • Ceramic Tiles from Bagheria’s Storied Villas

    Tiles from the terrace of Villa Ramacca, Bagheria. 

  • Villa Ramacca, Bagheria, Ceiling Detail

    This hand-painted ceiling detail is from one of the salons at Villa Ramacca in Bagheria. Villa Ramacca is one of many palace-manors that the Palermo aristocracy built in Bagheria in the 17th and 18th centuries. Originally the home of Bernardo Gravina, Prince of Ramacca, today the villa is a beautiful reception hall that hosts weddings…

  • “The Ascension” by Vincenzo da Pavia

    “The Ascension” by Vincenzo da Pavia, dating from 1533, is the focal point of the Baroque alter of the Norman-Arab church fondly known as The Martorana.

  • Focused Hand Painted Beauty

    Ceramic plate detail (Caltagirone style).     

  • Mesmerizing for Hours

    Before video games, TV, and films, Sicilians had carts and cart drivers, traveling minstrels, and vendors whose songs told the stories of the detailed scenes painted on cart panels. Examining the mesmerizing craftsmanship of each unique “carretto” could keep you busy for hours.

  • Ancient Mask

    Ancient terracotta mask, Siracusa’s Museo Archeologico Regionale “Paolo Orsi”

  • Snippets that Reveal Treasures

    This is a snippet of a larger painting that hangs in the chambers of Palermo’s Palazzo dei Normanni, the house of the Sicilian Parliament. I love it for two reasons: it shows pre-twentieth century traditional dress of the women working in the field and one of them is holding a traditional Sicilian, woven basket.