San Gimignano, Tuscany Original Watercolour | Tuscany Watercolour Paintings – Alan Reed
View from San Gimignano
An Original watercolour Painting of Tuscany. The medieval Tuscan town of San Gimignano is famous for its towers which make for a very distinctive skyline. However looking from San Gimignano across the countryside into the early evening sunlight can be just as enchanting and romantic.
This simple composition of San Gimignano is an exercise in ariel perspective. I let the distant washes create a sense of depth. The dark foreground allows the viewer to rest on the main area of interest, the picturesque buildings, some in shadow, some highlighted by the low evening light.
We got 2 busses from Florence the first time Susan & I visited San Gimignano many years ago, we were pleasantly surprised. We loved the cobbled streets and all the wild Boar salami shops. Susan went shopping whilst I painted “en plein air” in my leather bound sketchbook. She returned with delicious wild boar salami sandwiches and 2 glasses of wine.
San Gimignano, a small walled village about halfway between Florence and Siena. It is famous for its fascinating medieval architecture and towers that rise above of all the other buildings offering an impressive view of the city from the surrounding valley.
At the height of its glory, San Gimignano’s patrician families had built around 72 tower-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Although only 14 have survived, San Gimignano still retains its feudal atmosphere and appearance.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. San Gimignano offers visitors the chance to step back in time while enjoying its local products including saffron. Vernaccia di San Gimignano is the local white wine.
