"I fall in love with places" - Cy Twombly

While still reflecting on the life of Cy Twombly, I muse over a few artists that have been influenced by Italy (and my artistic process). There is just something about the visual beauty and the history of Italy that seems to impact many artists, writers and creatives.

I go further into thoughts on the art of Cy Twombly and Robert Rauschenberg throwing his art into the Arno River in Florence after a disparaging critic’s comment, and how artists move forward regardless of popularity or understanding. Generally the people catch up later. For some like Julian Schnabel they hit their stride early.

Schnabel said, Italy had a “massive impression” on him. He lived in Milan earlier in his career creating work influenced by place and the landscape. A visit to the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua had such an impact on his psyche he changed the way he painted. You can see this shift in his documentary in Julian Schnabel: A Private Portrait. He later purchased land in New York City and turned it into a Venetian Palazzo. Palazzo Chupi is bright pink building and an ambitious manifestation of his own artistic temperament. The visual beauty of Venice influences many of us in varying ways.

I go on a personal journey on this episode contemplating the life of the artists and my own. Later in the share I muse over the life and inspirations of Cy Twombly, Julian Schnabel, Basquiat and Picasso.

"blurring, blotching, writing and inscribing were purposely obscured by superimposing" - Thierry Greub on Twombly's painting process

Pentimento .... "Pentimento: a visible trace of earlier painting beneath a layer or layers of paint on a canvas".

"The word pentimento is derived from the Italian 'pentirsi', which means to repent or change your mind. Pentimento is a change made by the artist during the process of painting. These changes are usually hidden beneath a subsequent paint layer".

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"I am a Mediterranean painter" - Cy Twombly

Welcome to Episode #125:

In 1952 Robert Rauschenberg photographed his friend and fellow artist Cy Twombly standing with a thin notebook next to Constantine’s colossal hand while on holiday in Rome. They were together on a traveling arts scholarship. They traveled extensively for months in Italy and North Africa.

Five years later Cy Twombly moved from America to live in Rome, Italy.

Cy Twombly (1928-2011) made a life in Rome as an artist. He kept the art world at bay, painting vast canvases full of white space with a trademark style to his work, secluding himself in places like Gaeta, Bassano and Rome.

Twombly would take many journeys over his lifetime. Moving between places and homes and making art. Twombly’s fascination with ancient civilisations, the Mediterranean cultures, the Greco and the Roman would converge on his canvases. A love of literature and poetry underlines his art.

This is a story about place, art and history, and how they intersect on the canvas of life.

Musical Scores by Richard Johnston

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© 2025 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025

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“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. You are surrounded by adventure. You have no idea of what is in store for you, but you will, if you are wise and know the art of travel, let yourself go on the stream of the unknown and accept whatever comes in the spirit in which the gods may offer it....." Baghdad Sketches, Freya Stark

Welcome to Episode #124:

Today I take you on a journey through a few travel experiences that have a left a wonderful impression on my life as a writer and lover of Italy.

These are a handful of moments that captured the essence of travel and what I truly appreciate and love about the Italian culture and visiting Italy.

The places that called me on the travel journeys in Italy, that are mentioned today.... The Venetian Lagoon, Venice, Padova, Torino, Sperlonga, Campania, Rome, Lake Garda, Milano….. and Paris

Enjoy x

If you are interested in another kind of rabbit hole, I mention these podcasts along the way....

Art & Love: Peggy Guggenheim Part 1

Art & Love: Peggy Guggenheim Part 2

Moments in Italy: Caffes & Coffee Bars, Turin Italy

Shownotes at MichelleJohnston.life

A Writer in Italy Instagram

Substack - At My Table

Michelle’s Books

© 2025 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and life
Music Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025

Today's end music - 'Chances'

'Seascapes" for mood music.....

Richard's Music is available on Spotify and Apple Music - Album 4240

Links to Episodes that I mention in this podcast:

Art & Love: Peggy Guggenheim Part 1

Art & Love: Peggy Guggenheim Part 2

Moments in Italy: Caffes & Coffee Bars, Turin Italy

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