Art Journeys reflect Ever Evolving Cultural Shifts
In many ways, art reflects what society at large is going through at a particular time in history. The end product tells us much of the socio-political environment. The journeys that art undertakes during each historical period also reflect the views and aspirations of their creators and owners alike. Three stories of the fascinating roads that were traveled by art pieces, illustrate a seldom-explored facet of the art world.
The Rise of Great Italian Cities A Journey in the early 1500s
A pair of magnificent Pietre Dure Tables dating back to the 1500s was auctioned by Sotheby's London on December 10th, 2015. They were in the possession of the Grimani Family of Venice, a prominent patrician family that included three Doges of Venice as of the 16th century, until they were acquired in 1829 by the 3rd Earl of Warwick and brought to Warwick Castle in England, where they remained until auctioned by Sotheby's this past December.
The production of these tables required an incredible variety of precious and semiprecious stones that had to be expertly cut by Italian Masters in Florence and in Rome. Some of the materials used were Agates, Jaspers, Chalcedonies, Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst, Cornelians, Alabasters and Marble.