The charm and magic of the city by the river
A view of Sacile from the Livenza river during the #italiagrandsketchingtour.
Another stop on my tour around Friuli Venezia Giulia was Sacile. Another name in my mind that I never had the opportunity to visit. The town is built on the the Livenza, the perennial river that flows along an evocative urban landscape. Its banks, the countryside and the natural landscape intensify the charm of the town making it almost magical.
“Flumen Liquentia ex montibus Opiterginis…” even Pliny quoted the river Livenza. The origin of the name may be found in the Latin term livens, from the verb livere (to be of a livid colour); or, another option, from the verb liqui (to be liquid, to melt). In ancient times, it was called Liquentia, also because at the foot of the mount its abundant waters flow clear, cold and silent on pebbles, seemingly melting into one another.
The importance of the Livenza for the flourishing of Sacile
The river served as a communication route, as an extreme defence and as a source of life thanks to its water flow and the abundance of fish, allowing the town of Sacile to flourish along the way in all its out of time beauty. Since the 16th Century the power of waters allowed the work of mills, cloth factories, paper mills, and blacksmith shops. Big boats sailed up-river from Venice with the help of horses to bring any kind of goods, which would then be sold in the inland. On the opposite directions, boats allowed the transportation of wood from the mountains.
Sacile’s historical centre was born from a tight relation with the river: the present-day Piazza del Popolo, was in fact a dock for merchant ships. I have chosen to draw a corner near the square. A place that inspired me with the architectural artistic combination of styles and the presence of the river as a connection to the whole. Many corners of the town could be painted, but this was my choice for this visit. I believe more will come through time because the town is worth a deeper exploration and to be captured many times through the lenses of art.
Title of the painting ‘A view of Sacile from the Livenza river’
This is a painting from the Italia Grand Sketching Tour Collection, a series of original ink and watercolor paintings done on location during my tour to discovery the marvelous Italian heritage. All paintings are also available as numbered and originally signed prints.
The painting is also featured in the book about my motorbike Italian tour. By acquiring this work you will get to know better Italy also thanks to a personalized story about this place that I will include in the package.
Painting information:
- Watercolor and ink on white paper
- Size 19 x 28.5 cm (7.5 x 11.2 inches)
- Shipped in a box
- Certificate of authenticity will be sent with the painting
