James Miller

The Spanish Steps

XX Century

Florentine, Probably Seventeenth Century Titled L’ultime parti note nel Indie occidentali Dated on the edge of the cartouche: “M.D. LXIII. M.AG” [1564…the month of August] In the 1560s Cosimo I de’Medici, the powerful Duke of Florence, undertook a major renovation of the Palazzo Vecchio, the venerable palace that to this day dominates the city at the Piazza della Signoria. For the Sala della Guardaroba, literally the wardrobe room, but in fact the storeroom of the Duke’s most precious holdings, Cosimo conceived of a grand decorative project that was to reflect in one space the entire cosmos --both an indication of the Duke’s ambition and an allusion to his name. The plan, supervised by Giorgio Vasari, involved the construction of walnut cabinets to contain the Medici treasures, on the outside doors of which were to be placed large hand-painted maps specially commissioned to document and illustrate the current knowledge of the world. Portraits of famous men were to decorate the tops of the cabinets and two large globes –one representing the terrestrial world, the other celestial—were to descend from openings in the ceiling. The commission for the maps, inspired by Ptolemy’s Geographia, was given to the celebrated mathematician and cosmographer, Fra Egnazio Danti (Perugia 1536-1585 Alatri). Fifty-three maps were ultimately created. Thirty were conceived and executed by Danti between 1563 and 1575. The remaining twenty-three were completed by Stefano Bonsignori between 1576 and 1686. They remain in place in Florence in the room for which they were created. The present work is an exact-size painted, drawn and inscribed copy of Danti’s map of California...

"Architectural Delusion 1" Gouache on paper Measures: 68 x 53 cm, frame included (Signed on the back) Bauhaus style and geometric abstraction style. Geometric shapes in blue, gre...

"Untitled 12" is a gouache on paper by contemporary Russian artist Dmitry Samygin. Minimalist and geometric drawings.

"Architectural Delusion 3" Gouache on paper Measures: 68 x 53 cm, frame included (Signed on the back). Bauhaus style and geometric abstraction style. Geometric shapes in blue, gr...

"Untitled 13" is a gouache on paper by contemporary Russian artist Dmitry Samygin. Minimalist and geometric drawings.

Abstract Gouache N.4 by Dmitry Samygin Minimalist and geometric paintings. Technique: Gouache Color: Black Size: H. 30 x 21 x 0.1 cm Dmitry Samygin is a Furniture and Product De...

This drawing is part of the current exhibition entitled "The fantastic story of the liquid mountain" at Claire Corcia Gallery in Paris. The liquid mountain is populated by living be...

Gouache on paper Unique work Hand-signed lower right by the artist

This drawing is part of the current exhibition entitled "The fantastic story of the liquid mountain" at Claire Corcia Gallery in Paris. The liquid mountain is populated by living be...

This drawing is part of the current exhibition entitled "The fantastic story of the liquid mountain" at Claire Corcia Gallery in Paris. The liquid mountain is populated by living be...