Trevi Fountain, Rome (by night)

Fontana di Trevi, 's nachts.
oil on canvas board - 24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Sunday 21 March 2010
SOLD

As some of you may already have known, I went on a working vacation to the Eternal City of Rome, with 5 colleagues. We stayed in a comfortable apartment just a stones throw away from, Piazza del Popolo. Centrally located, a great find at an affordable price, when you take into consideration that just around the corner, on Via del Babuino is located Hotel de Russie, renting suites from 1,500-2,700 euro per night! This painting was made amongst a crowd of no less than 550 persons(probably more). All awe struck by the beauty and magnitude of this imposing marble structure, measuring 25.9 meters in hight, and 19.8 meters wide. Inspired by a design from Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the final version, was built by Nicola Salvi, in the 18th century, taking some 30 odd years to complete (1732 - 1762). The central figure, set in the niche, is Oceanus, God of all water, (figure on the extreme right of painting). He is flanked on his right, by the Goddess, Abundance, who is spilling water from an urn. There are a multitude of figures and creatures from both land and sea featured in this extravagant fountain. But what's even more empressive is the thundering sound of water one sees and hears. In fact nothing else, in the stifling heat of a Roman summer, gives such a feeling of sensual delight as the abundant, splashing, cool water. If you don't believe me, ask Anita Ekberg, she made this fountain famous when she plunged in wearing a strapless black evening dress in Federico Fellini's classic La Dolce Vita.