A moment of quiet in the side streets of the Basilica
Back view of Church of Santa Annunziata in Bergamo during the #italiagrandsketchingtour.
After visiting the Basilica with its crowd of tourists, I went out from the side and I was rewarded with a deserted street and a beautiful view of the Lombard Venetian style side entrance with the game of the roofs and the bell tower. I discovered later that this is the Giovanni da Campione’s porch on the left transept.
I sat on the wall and took my time to paint in the breeze and to admire the perfection of this building. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the major church of the city and it was founded in 1137 on the site of another 8th century church dedicated to St Mary, which had been in turn erected over a Roman temple of the Clemence. Another incredible example of history building over and over again on itself.
While the high altar was consecrated in 1185 and in 1187 the presbytery and the transept wings were completed, the bell tower that you see was built in 1436 over a period of over 59 years because the works of the church dragged along the centuries due to financial troubles. Another things that seems not to change, at least in Italy.
After finishing my watercolor painting I took a walk around the church and there I met a fellow sketcher. I went to talk to her and we exchanged experiences and drawings. I discovered Bergamo has an amazing group of Urban Sketchers, and this made me promise absolutely to come back to draw this beautiful city in good company.
Title of the painting ‘Back view of Church of Santa Annunziata in Bergamo’
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
