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Artwork in Italy

Posted by (Richmond, Ky, USA) on

we are making another journey to Italy this October, and a part of all or our travels has been bringing some type of original artwork home. The items may be simple watercolors, fine ceramics, or my favorite a mosaic of a side street scene in Montepulciano.

My wife and i have always wanted a nice oil or water painting of an Italian street scene or landscape, but I am always reluctant to purchase them on the street. We are always told that they are indeed originals, but how do you really know.

Does anyone know if the artwork available in Piazza Navona is mostly cheap knock offs, or can i find original, good quality works there??

I know it is a somewhat vague question, but I guess I am hoping someone might know an artist, or someone who sells original works that can be purchased for less than the cost of the trip.

Thanks!!

Jeff

Posted by
11613 posts

Jeff, in Piazza Navona almost all of it is mass-produced. The portrait artists will do a portrait while you sit for it, or from a photograph - you might need to leave the photo with the artist and pick up the portrait the next day.

There are plenty of studios and galleries around, you might try looking there.

Posted by
7180 posts

The best art works that I have purchased on my trips, whether paintings, ceramics, glass art, etc. have almost always been purchased from the artists in their studios. Most have been bought in smaller towns or non-touristy areas of big cities and all have been of the very affordable variety. I've never bought anything from the street artists in the real touristy areas because I know you can't really trust the 'originality' of those. I'm not saying they're all just vendors of mass produced work, I know some are the artists themselves, but I tend to be a bit skeptical. I can't speak specifically to those in the Piazza Navona. I don't buy any artwork as an investment but rather just as souvenirs of my travels that invoke wonderful memories when I look at them.

Posted by
487 posts

We bought a painting of Cinque Terre in Piazza Navona that my husband loves. I am fairly sure that it is a screen printed canvas with dabs of paint added on top to make it look like a painting. It is pretty small and we did not spend much so that makes sense. If you find something you like and it reminds you of your trip, who cares if it is original? If you are looking for an investment piece, then I would take the suggestion of going to a gallery and not purchasing something on the street.

Posted by
278 posts

Thanks all,

I'm not really looking for investment grade art per se, but I do like to know that what I purchase is not mass produced.
We have always, except for one instance, bought from small studios in smaller towns. To me, the connection to the artist is as important as the work itself.
I remember how proud the mosaic artist was when we purchased from him. It was truly part of him. I think that is the experience I was looking for. I appreciate the thoughts about Piazza Navona. I did suspect the same thing. I wil look for some small studio to support.

Thanks again If anyone knows of artist communities in Rome, let me know.

Jeff

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