The acronym for Art of Loving Italy is “ALI”
— which, in Italian, beautifully translates to “wings.”
Art gives us wings to fly to see our world from a new perspective!
Indeed, art gives us wings—allowing us to soar beyond the ordinary and view the world from new, inspiring perspectives!
The Art of Loving Italy is more than just a website about art; it is a philosophy, a way of seeing and experiencing the world. It invites us to embrace beauty in all its forms—whether in a masterpiece, a historic cityscape, or the smallest details of daily life. Through art, we gain not only a deeper appreciation for creativity but also a new lens through which to explore culture, history, and the emotions that connect us all.
Are you curious about art?
Did you study art in school, fall in love with it, but now find yourself struggling to remember the difference between Renaissance and Baroque? Do you wish you knew more about the fascinating world of art?
Uncovering Truth in Art: A Journey Through Beauty, Stories, and Discovery
Hi! I’m Melissa—an artist, Italian language blogger, author, and art historian. My love for art led me to study it in college, pursue a Master’s degree in Art History, and later, to weave it into my writing.
Picasso once said, “Art is the lie that makes us realize the truth.” But to uncover that truth, we have to really look.
Art isn’t just confined to museum walls—it’s all around us, waiting to be noticed. It’s in the way light filters through the trees, in the intricate design of a tattoo, in the textures of a weathered wall, or even in the movement of a bustling city street. If we open our eyes and ears, we’ll find that art actually speaks to us, revealing stories, emotions, and hidden truths we never imagined.
That’s what The Art of Loving Italy is all about—a place where art comes alive through informative, entertaining, and unexpected discoveries. I love uncovering the oddities and absurdities of the art world because I believe art doesn’t have to be boring or stuffy—it’s a living, breathing force, full of incredible stories just waiting to be told.
Being an art historian is a bit like being a detective. Every painting holds secrets beneath the surface, and the deeper you dig, the more astonishing the revelations become. That’s why I write novels and share stories about artists whose lives and accomplishments deserve to be celebrated.
Join Me on an “Art-Fantastical” Journey
Let’s embark on an art-fueled adventure, where we’ll dive deep into the art world (and, of course, Italian culture!). Whether you’re a lifelong art lover or just beginning to explore, I invite you to see art in a whole new way.
So, let’s open our eyes, ears, and minds and discover what art has to say. It’s going to be a fascinating conversation!
Bringing Art to Life
This site was born after I published my first novel, Dreaming Sophia (2016), a story set in Italy that explores its vibrant world of artists, musicians, and actors. Since then, I’ve written three more novels, each diving deeper into Italy’s artistic legacy. Waking Isabella (2017) – A historical mystery set in Arezzo, uncovering the lost portrait of Isabella de’ Medici painted by Bronzino during the Renaissance and hidden during WWII. Eternally Artemisia (2018) – A creative reimagining of Artemisia Gentileschi’s story, weaving her groundbreaking journey as a female artist into a contemporary narrative. The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola (2020) – The remarkable, untold story of Sofonisba Anguissola, the Renaissance woman who was praised by Vasari and advised by Michelangelo, traveling from Cremona to Rome, Spain, and Sicily.
All novels are available on Amazon in print, audio and digital ebooks.
In bocca al lupo Melissa…..
Crepi! 😉