Image Credit: Studentessa Matta Illustration of Isabella de Medici This article was written for and published by Women Writers, Women's Books Greetings, my dear friends. My name is Isabella de' Medici, but many called me the Star of Florence! I was born into the powerful and wealthy Medici … [Read more...] about The mystery of Isabella de Medici: in her own words she explains how she died
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Is David naked… or is he nude? That is the question!
Everyone’s talking about David (and now I’m chiming in too)! What is the fuss all about?Why is everyone so hot and bothered? Apparently, someone in Florida just noticed Michelangelo’s 15th-century sculpture of David doesn’t have a stitch of clothes on! They just realized — David, in fact, … [Read more...] about Is David naked… or is he nude? That is the question!
Florence’s treasure trove of art saved by last living Medici – Anna Maria
The Medici family name is well known in Florence and throughout the world. The House of Medici was a banking family, a political dynasty, and later a royal house that began gaining prominence under Cosimo de’ Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. The Medici produced four … [Read more...] about Florence’s treasure trove of art saved by last living Medici – Anna Maria
Playlist of Italian songs that inspired me as I wrote my novels
Appreciating the art of Italy includes learning more about the music of Italy. Art, music, and literature inspire. The creative process: Incorporating music and writing. Every writer has a different writing style and specific preferences for how they go about the creative process. Some … [Read more...] about Playlist of Italian songs that inspired me as I wrote my novels
Learn & Live in Lucca! 2023 Italian Language Immersion Program
View the original post in Italian on the Studentessa Matta website. Matta and Lucca Italian School 2023!Do not miss the opportunity to live the dolce vita in Lucca! Looking to immerse yourself in the Italian language and culture? Look no further than the Studentessa Matta Italian Language … [Read more...] about Learn & Live in Lucca! 2023 Italian Language Immersion Program
Take a page out of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook — be curious and never stop learning!
The wisdom of Leonardo da Vinci This article first appeared on the Studentessa Matta website. Click to read in Italian. Leonardo da Vinci was an exceptional human. The epitome of the iconic Renaissance man, he was a master in various fields, including painting, sculpture, architecture, … [Read more...] about Take a page out of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebook — be curious and never stop learning!
It is the dawn of a new ART era… DALL•E art creator is here.
Holy Vincent Van Gogh, my eyes are starry! Paint me green and call me a Picasso painting!!! By the brushstrokes of Leonardo da Vinci, Mona Lisa’s smile is broader than ever! Let me tell you about the first time — me — a professional illustrator, used DALL•E an artificial intelligence … [Read more...] about It is the dawn of a new ART era… DALL•E art creator is here.
Read an Italian Novel: 2023 Spring Book Club begins in March!
Sono prontissima per il 2023 Matta Spring Book Club! Anche tu? I'm super ready for the 2023 Matta Spring Book Club! Ho appena scritto la Reader Discussion Guide per la selezione del Spring Matta Book Club, "Non ho paura, di Niccolò Ammaniti. I have just finished the Reader … [Read more...] about Read an Italian Novel: 2023 Spring Book Club begins in March!
Love letters from Juliet
(To read this in Italian, visit the Studentessa Matta website) Verona has long been considered “the” city of love based on several literary traditions. Verona has long been considered “the” city of love based on several literary traditions. It is, after all, the fabled setting of William … [Read more...] about Love letters from Juliet
In search of forgotten female Florentine artists —Indiana Jane leads the quest
Invisible Women. Forgotten artists of Florence — the work and legacy of Jane Fortune. Florence is the birthplace of some of the world’s most famous artists, scientists, and architects. Consider some famous names like Michelangelo, Leonardo, Brunelleschi, and Galileo. But what are we missing in … [Read more...] about In search of forgotten female Florentine artists —Indiana Jane leads the quest
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
