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Art of Loving Italy

Art of Loving Italy

Art & Beauty are all around us.

Blog

The legend of Donna Bianca

To read this article in Italian Click here Watch the Youtube Video in Italian Dreaming with eyes open or “Sognare ad occhi aperti” as the Italians call it is something Sophia, the protagonist of "Dreaming Sophia" shares with her mother. From a very early age, Sophia's mother encourages her … [Read more...] about The legend of Donna Bianca

Botticelli’s Birth of Venus: the ultimate ideal of feminine beauty & where the artist got his inspiration

Today I want to talk to you about Botticelli's Birth of Venus, and the representation of the ultimate ideal of female beauty and where Botticelli derived his inspiration. This is a small detail of Botticelli's much larger painting, that I painted when I was a student in Florence. I attended a … [Read more...] about Botticelli’s Birth of Venus: the ultimate ideal of feminine beauty & where the artist got his inspiration

Van Gogh Immersive Experience — Walking rapidly through Art (would Vincent have approved?)

Last week I attended the Van Gogh Immersive Experience in Austin, Texas. The exhibit is live and going strong in many cities across the United States, Mexico, and Europe. There has been a lot of hype about this show, and it has become extremely popular. The “pop” hit of the post-Covid … [Read more...] about Van Gogh Immersive Experience — Walking rapidly through Art (would Vincent have approved?)

Enjoying and celebrating life is an art form in Italy!

Celebrate like the Italians do! In Italian you say "facciamo festa!" In Italy there are so many festivals and celebrations… the Italians really know how to throw a party! Italian cities throughout Italy celebrate civil and religious festivals, historical re-enactments, local … [Read more...] about Enjoying and celebrating life is an art form in Italy!

Macchiaioli vs. Impressionists: Why did one 19th Century art movement become famous… and the other not so much!?

Hello everyone! Today I would like to talk to you about a subject very close to my heart—a group of Italian artists who painted in the nineteenth century. They are called “the Macchiaioli.” When I was an art student in Florence I went to the Pitti Palace where the museum of modern art is … [Read more...] about Macchiaioli vs. Impressionists: Why did one 19th Century art movement become famous… and the other not so much!?

Domenico Ghirlandaio: Florentine artist, teacher to Michelangelo

This post first appeared in Italian on the Studentessa Matta Blog on September 28th, 2012. You can read the article in its original Italian clicking this link I have always liked the painter Domenico Ghirlandaio, an artist of the Renaissance that worked in Florence. He was born in 1449 and died … [Read more...] about Domenico Ghirlandaio: Florentine artist, teacher to Michelangelo

Eleonora de’ Medici & Her Fabulous Golden Gown

Eleonora de' Medici the duchess of Florence and wife of Cosimo de Medici is one of Sophia's muses in the novel of Italy by Melissa Muldoon Dreaming Sophia. I have always had a secret fantasy to dress like Eleonora di Toledo. This desire is played out in a new book I have written called … [Read more...] about Eleonora de’ Medici & Her Fabulous Golden Gown

Critics Choice: Gold & Silver Awards for Eternally Artemisia and The Secret Life of Sofonisba

I got some fantastic news last week! My latest novel “The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola” has wonReader Views Silver Award in the 2020-2021 Historical Fiction Category. My third novel “Eternally Artemisia” has wonReader Views Gold Award in the 2020-2021 Adult Classics Fiction … [Read more...] about Critics Choice: Gold & Silver Awards for Eternally Artemisia and The Secret Life of Sofonisba

Goya and La Maja Clothed and La Maja Nude: a brief discussion and history of the artist

After seeing this meme on the internet today, I’m inspired to talk about Francesco Goya and two paintings he created called “La Maja Clothed” and "La Maja Nude." All kidding aside, (apologies to the Spanish Queen Maria Louisa pictured above, painted also by Goya) the Maja paintings are among Goya’s … [Read more...] about Goya and La Maja Clothed and La Maja Nude: a brief discussion and history of the artist

“The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola” is on virtual book tour during the month of February

I am pleased to announce “The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola” is on a virtual blog tour this month with iRead Books and you can win a copy of the novel. Take an armchair trip to Italy, Spain, and Sicily as you follow the adventures of Sofonisba! Set in the Sixteenth-century, The … [Read more...] about “The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola” is on virtual book tour during the month of February

The Secret Life of Sofonisba—the most famous woman you’ve never heard of

“The Secret Life of Sofonisba—the most famous woman you've never heard of” is now published! I am happy to announce my fourth novel set in Italy has been published and is now available on Amazon in Print and Epub. Despite these uncertain times of Covid, writing a historical novel about … [Read more...] about The Secret Life of Sofonisba—the most famous woman you’ve never heard of

The art of Genya Gritchin

Surfing the internet I came across the art of Genya Gritchin, a Russian born painter who resides in Italy. This particular painting caught my eye. I was immediately entranced. The painting harkens back to Renaissance artists and classical principles of art. The picture tells a story, … [Read more...] about The art of Genya Gritchin

The Marvelous Miss Anguissola!

Sofonisba Anguissola – try to repeat that name three times fast! The name Sofonisba Anguissola doesn't necessarily roll off the tongue easily. To help you pronounce her name I've broken it down: Sofo-nees-bah Ahn-gwee-sola. Not only is Sofonisba Anguissola an unusual name, but it is also a … [Read more...] about The Marvelous Miss Anguissola!

Women hold up half the sky

As I peruse the internet, I often come across various images that are appealing to me or speak to me on some level. It is a habit to save these images into a folder to ponder and investigate a bit further, especially if the artist is unfamiliar to me. I’ve recently been intrigued by a series of … [Read more...] about Women hold up half the sky

La mia sala – Great way to improve Italian listening comprehension & enjoy art!

Are you looking for more ways to improve your Italian language listening comprehension skills? Would you like to learn more about art in Italy? Would you like to visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence but are prohibited from doing so because of the whole Covid-Quarantine-thing? Well, you … [Read more...] about La mia sala – Great way to improve Italian listening comprehension & enjoy art!

The Japanese art of Kintsugi explained

In my new book “Eternally Artemisia” one of the themes of the book is art therapy. My main character is a therapist who leads retreats in Tuscany. One of the techniques she teaches her group of women who have suffered abuse is the art of Kintsugi. What is this? Let me explain. In Japan, when a … [Read more...] about The Japanese art of Kintsugi explained

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Pizza night! Facciamo una pizza… o due… o tre! Pizza night! Facciamo una pizza… o due… o tre! Che bella festa!
Matta Parole della settimana Sfogarsi = let of st Matta Parole della settimana

Sfogarsi = let of steam

Tesoro, sfogarsi è una parte importante del matrimonio.
Honey, venting is a very important part of marriage.

Sarete in grado di sfogarsi, e non nascondere la rabbia.
You will be able to let off steam and not hide anger.

Credo che avesse solo bisogno di... sfogarsi un po'.
I suppose he just needed to spout off for a while.

LEARN ITALIAN. Learn Better. Learn more. 

• At HOME Conversation Practice, Lessons, Group/Private Bookclubs

• In ITALY small Group Lang Programs

• In ITALY HOMESTAY Programs

#ItalianVocabulary #StudentessaMatta #ImproveItalian #LearnItalian #PracticeItalian
Today I'm featured on Women Writer's Women's Books Today I'm featured on Women Writer's Women's Books online journal in a guest post I wrote: Thoughts on Writing and the Creative Process: How I am inspired by Italy and its Inspiring Women.

In this post — I explain my passion for Italy and why I write about Italy and famous Italian women like Sofonisba Anguissola, Artemisia Gentileschi, Isabella de’ Medici, and Sophia Loren. I also explain what I’ve been up to lately — teaching Italian, my Italian immersion programs, why I started an Italian book club, and the opportunity to interview Silvia Zucca (her book has been adapted into the hit Italian Netflix show). I talk little bit about why I write and my creative writing philosophy. I also talk about where the ideas for my past books came from and that I’m in search of my next Italian heroine for my next book.

You can find links to my author page and my author facebook page and links to the post in my Bio

#MelissaMuldoon #MelissaMuldoonAuthor #IndieAuthor #WomenWriters #WomenBooks #AuthorsInstagram #CreativeProcess #bookstagram #bookitaly #novelitaly #novelsetitaly #italyfiction #womenwritingfiction
New Blog Post on the Studentessa Matta Site: Revie New Blog Post on the Studentessa Matta Site: Review of 4 Metà (Four to Dinner): Netflix Italian Film, 2022

In a new romantic Netflix comedy, “4 Metà,” (Four to Dinner) director Alessio Maria Federici tackles the complex and burning question “do soul mates exist?” Follow four singles as they are paired up in two parallel existences, see their lives play out and decide for yourself if there really is just one person out there for each of us. Watch in original Italian, or in English

Practice vocab in the post on the Matta Quizlet site. Link in the post

Find the link toread the post on the StudentessaMatta.com site in Bio

#PracticeItalian #LearnItalian #StudentessaMatta #ItalianLanguage #ItalianFilm #AlessioMariaFederici #fourtodinner #4metà
Matta Parole della settimana Camerini = dressing Matta Parole della settimana

Camerini = dressing rooms

Dove sono i camerini per provare gli abiti da ballo. / Where are the dressing rooms to try on the ball gowns.

Il primo attore è nel suo camerino. / The lead actor is in his dressing room.

Ho sempre voluto sapere come sono i camerini di Broadway. / I’ve always wanted to know what it's like in a Broadway dressing room.

LEARN ITALIAN. Learn Better. Learn more. 

Tips, advice, and practice on the StudentessaMatta.com website. Links in Bio. 

• At HOME Conversation Practice, Lessons, Group/Private Bookclubs

• In ITALY small Group Lang Programs

• In ITALY HOMESTAY Programs

#ItalianVocabulary #StudentessaMatta #ImproveItalian #LearnItalian #PracticeItalian
Cin cin! Cin cin!
Andiamo ad Ascoli questo settembre. Learn Italian Andiamo ad Ascoli questo settembre.

Learn Italian small group programs in Italy. Arezzo in June, Lucca in sept, Ascoli in Sept. StudentessaMatta.com 

Links in bio

#studentessamatta #learnitalian

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