Lily of Florence painted on canvas, with Guelph shield

Each of Autentiqua’s paintings on canvas is a unique and original creation, crafted with distressed and aged materials.

This painting captures the immortal spirit of a lively time and place which radiated a special atmosphere – a melody made of beauty, with the magic of imperfection. Autentiqua’s creative imagination captures the vital essence of the Lily, enhancing its refined elegance to the point that we can almost smell its scent.

Cm: 56 x 44
Inches: 22.0 x 17.3

Mixed media: Autentiqua’s paintings on natural canvas are made with ancient techniques combining “lean tempera” with plaster, clay, pigments, vegetable glues, and other ingredients, including some secrets of the trade handed down by skilled Master Craftsmen.

 

Price including shipping:

850,00

Please request information

MEANING

The Lily of Florence, or Florentine Lily, is the ideal representation of an iris blossom. Full of vital energy, it is a symbol of purity, fertility and procreation, birth and rebirth.

The “Guelph” version of the Florentine lily – red on a white background – is the official coat of arms of the city of Florence, in use since 1251. Autentiqua’s pictorial interpretation of the city symbol stems from a very emotional sense of belonging to the Florentine identity.

 

INSPIRATION

The Florentine Lily was originally white on a red background; but after the battle of Montaperti, the Guelph party decided to reverse the colors to distinguish themselves from their enemies, the Ghibellines, and introduced the iconography which is still in use today, with the red lily on a white background.

Autentiqua’s painted Lilies are the result of an in-depth philological research. Each work is unique and original, crafted with the utmost technical and compositional care, down to the smallest details.

 

PROCESS

The symmetrical shape of the painted Lily is precise and rigorous, yet light and dreamy at the same time. It is made with touches of gestural brush strokes, with light and shadows that enhance its contours and symbolic value. The overall result is a harmony of multiple balances.

Each piece is hand-made with ancient traditional lean tempera techniques, with plaster, clay, pigments, and vegetable glues on natural canvas. The final steps of aging and distressing enrich the painting with the charm and mystery of a precious, timeless work.

The textured finish of the surface is made up of cracks, frayings, chippings, patinas, and layerings that remind us of ancient frescoed walls.

 

Shipping and customization:

The painted canvas is very sturdy and can be easily rolled up for safe shipping in a small mailing tube.

Upon request, we can frame the painting or mount the canvas on a wooden panel, either with glass, or preferably without glass.

It is also possible to create “made-to-measure” variants with customized colors and features.

Additional information