Artwork Description:
The city of Florence lies in the historic valley of Tuscany ,
Along the banks of the Arno river, surrounded by hills
of scenic beauty
Here during the first century BC , the conquering Romans
established their ‘Colonia Florentina’,
To settle the war veterans of Caesar’s army in Northern
Italia
But later after the fall of Rome , it became a battleground
for the Holy Roman Empire and the Pope
But the independent nature of its people refused foreign
yolk
They preferred commune rule led by a powerful leader –
called the Signore ,
Just like the city-states of ancient Greece, in those days of
yore
But unlike Greece , Florence saw no Democracy ,
Since the Medici family finally usurped power in this
city of Northern Italy
Unlike Venice , Florence is landlocked and not a port
city
Relying on banking and trade to prosper economically .
Their gold coin florin became the standard coinage
throughout Europe
While through the export of its quality textile and woolen
goods, great wealth got secured
But to become patrons of art and letters mere wealth is
not enough ,
One must have a refined taste to become a true lover of
letters and art
And here the Medici carved out a niche for themselves
under the Florentine sun
Artwork Keywords:
Italy, Italian, Florence, Firenze, Buildings, Doors, Doorways, Original Watercolor