art

Cézanne and Renoir: Art, Beauty, Self-Improvement, and Friendship

/ Leave a Comment
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Revealing the importance of nature through art


On the occasion of the visit of our beloved Irish friend, we had the opportunity to visit the Renoir and Cézanne exhibition at Palazzo Reale.

Palazzo Reale pays tribute to the legacy of Paul Cézanne and Pierre Auguste Renoir, masters who contributed decisively to the birth of Impressionism, which celebrated its 150th anniversary on April 15, 2024.

So, the exhibition explores their influence on subsequent artistic movements. A journey through their most iconic paintings, from portraits to landscapes, still lifes, and bathers. Also, the exhibition ends with a section documenting how decisive the impact and influence of the two artists were on the subsequent generation of artists by comparing two Cézanne and Renoir works with two Pablo Picasso paintings.

Since our Irish friend Pauline is a painter and art teacher, she provided insights on colours and shapes, perspective and depth. Our pathway through the rooms of Palazzo Reale has been a full immersion in absolute beauty. We had the chance to discover more about Cézanne and Renoir, their different painting techniques, their life struggles, and their friendship. Indeed, their diverse traits joined them like a magnet, offering complementarity to each other. A deep connection, a shelter they couldn’t renounce. Also, despite their health issues, they remained passionate about creating art.

Cézanne and Renoir exhibition at Palazzo Reale, Milano
A reconstruction of Renoir’s studio

Some of Cézanne and Renoir memorable quotes


But the experience was so rich and profound that it’s difficult to summarise in just a few takeaways. So, we share some memorable quotes we found in the rooms:

“Art touches emotions. If it needs to be explained, it is not art.” Pierre-Auguste Renoir

“If my canvas is imbued with an undefined cosmic spirituality that moves me and makes me better, it will also move others, touching a part of their sensitivity of which they may be unaware.” Paul Cézanne

“A state of grace comes from contemplating God’s most beautiful creation: the human body. Suffering passes, beauty remains. I am perfectly happy.” Pierre-August Renoir

“Progress can only be made through nature; the eye is educated in relation to this.” Paul Cézanne

Exploring the paintings of Cézanne and Renoir has been such a meaningful experience. A lesson on art, beauty, self-improvement, and friendship. However, the importance of nature emerges through their art. Nature teaches through its form, which the artist interprets with an increasingly personal vision. Ultimately, nature is an open space to observe and contemplate the world. A space for observation, refuge, departure, and return. Therefore, a space to preserve.

Cézanne and Renoir: Art, Beauty, Self-Improvement, and Friendship Read More »

Patti Smith & “The infinite”

Reading Time: 3 minutes

How to make sense of our world and recharge our spirit


Art helps us make sense of the world. It is beauty, in essence. So, we seek it in all forms. Patti Smith & “The Infinite” is one of those forms.

You know life is unpredictable. You make your plans, but life has plans of its own. And so, because of covid, on the 1st of August, we had to miss Patti Smith’s concert in Milano. 

Her music and poetry are a powerful blend, and we’re certain her performance would have been a true balm for our souls.

Also, we really appreciate how she redefined the role of female representation in rock music. Her androgynous outfits have been a major source of inspiration in fashion—think mannish white shirts, blazers, loose neckties. Never traditionally ‘pretty,’ but effortlessly cool. Her style is so iconic that she’s crafted an entirely unique aesthetic.

By the way, as a tribute to Italy during her performances in Pompeii, Rome, and Milan, Patti Smith recited Giacomo Leopardi’s poem The Infinite.

Patti Smith reading Giacomo Leopardi


This is the poem in Italian, but you can listen to the English version directly from Patti Smith’s voice – here

L’infinito

«Sempre caro mi fu quest’ermo colle,
e questa siepe, che da tanta parte
dell’ultimo orizzonte il guardo esclude.
Ma sedendo e mirando, interminati
spazi di là da quella, e sovrumani
silenzi, e profondissima quiete
io nel pensier mi fingo, ove per poco
il cor non si spaura. E come il vento
odo stormir tra queste piante, io quello
infinito silenzio a questa voce
vo comparando: e mi sovvien l’eterno,
e le morte stagioni, e la presente
e viva, e il suon di lei. Così tra questa
immensità s’annega il pensier mio:
e il naufragar m’è dolce in questo mare.»


L’infinito by Giacomo Leopardi is a famous Italian poem that explores themes of nature, the infinite, and the human condition. The speaker reflects on the vastness of the universe, feeling both awe and sorrow as they contemplate the boundless horizon and the limits of human experience. Through this reflection, the poem touches on the tension between the beauty of the natural world and the inevitable sense of insignificance that comes with it.

The sense of insignificance in L’infinito is related to the human condition—specifically, the limitations of human life and understanding when compared to the vastness of nature and the universe. Leopardi reflects on how small and fleeting human existence can feel in the face of infinity. While the natural world appears endless and eternal, human life is limited, creating a poignant contrast between the beauty of nature and the finiteness of human experience.

Art, music, and poetry reflect a certain mindset and a unqiue style. Most importantly, they bring the beauty we need to make sense of our world and offer the peace of mind that helps us navigate life.

In the end, art, music, and poetry are embodiments of beauty—beauty that heals our souls.

We’re so sorry we couldn’t attend Patti Smith’s concert, but we hope L’infinito will recharge your spirit!

Patti Smith & “The infinite” Read More »

Art, Affect and Persuasiveness

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Art as a tool for emotional and persuasive impact


Art is one of the greatest sources of inspiration of all time.

Sunday morning, we went to the Castello Sforzesco to see ‘The body and Soul, from Donatello to Michelangelo’ – an exhibition dedicated to Italian Renaissance sculpture.

It was a beautiful sunny day. We wore our face masks, showed our green pass, and went in to explore.

art exhibition at Castello Sforzesco 'The body and the soul, from Donatello to Michelangelo'


At that time (1453 – 1520), communication was in the hands of the church and nobles, those who had power and money. From this viewpoint, there’s not much difference compared to those who deploy massive communication nowadays.

One of the sections was called ‘Sacred art: affect and persuasiveness.’ The board reads: ‘Affect and persuasiveness became the two key words in religious sculpture: following the work by Donatello around 1450, emotion and the motions of the soul took centre stage in artistic practices, in the desire to deeply, even violently, affect viewers.’

In other words, those who had money commissioned artists to represent catholic figures to influence the masses. Undoubtedly art was magnificent, and viewers could feel the pathos.

Modern methods of persuasion


Translating this communication process to modern times, we see that the logic of influencing people is still crucial. ‘Affect and persuasiveness’ are used not to make the masses believe in God but to sell them everything. Brands and products are the new gods.

Over the centuries, the masses have transitioned from believers of faith to consumers of goods. However, artists still had to work hard to make something breathtaking to influence people. Indeed to reach that level of beauty, their artistic work demanded an enormous effort.

Today, the two keywords remain the same: affect and persuasiveness. What has changed is who the masses consider influencers, how they present their work, and how they interact with their audience — all by-products of what we call progress

In the past, art moved us, inspiring deep emotional engagement, while today, empty superficiality impresses people’s attention.

Perhaps something went wrong.

Art, Affect and Persuasiveness Read More »