On Saturday, March 1st, the public is invited to an opening of the exhibition, "Florence to Florence", a rare collection of 50 Italian Classical, Renaissance and Twentieth Century bronzes on display at The Vineyard at Florence, in Florence, Texas, a Tuscan styled wine estate, just 35 minutes north of Austin.

The creator of these bronzes, the Marinelli family foundry, Fonderia Artistica Ferdinando Marinelli (FAFM), is Tuscany's oldest foundry and has been the 'go to' foundry for the city of Florence's museums as well as the Vatican, for
nearly a century.

Known and trusted for their highest quality of craftsmanship, they were often given permission to make these limited edition bronzes from the original casts of some of Italy's most iconic Renaissance and Classical masterpieces.

"Our purpose is to recreate for the general public the impression that was made when the original work was placed ... We wish to have a historically exemplary and at the same time aesthetically worthy work. The quality of the replicas produced by your foundry will assure our goals. "
Cristina Acidini - Superintendent of Ministry of Culture in Florence

Using the ancient lost wax process, each sculpture is individually cast from the original mould and "finished" by the foundry artists, all highly skilled and often trained at the very same art school, Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, with which Michelangelo was associated.

Visitors familiar with Italy will recognize many of the sculptures on exhibition.
Some of the highlights include: a twelve and a half foot bronze of Giambologna's Neptune, (Poseidon) god of the seas, the original of which stands in the center of Piazza Maggiore in Bologna.

Other classical gods enrich the exhibition . A Cellini Mercury (Hermes) the messenger to the gods with his winged sandals and hat; Mars (Ares) the god of war, who was eventually tamed by love; An Etruscan and 5th century B.C. Minerva (Athena) goddess of war and patroness of learning and the arts; An exquisite replica of Giambologna's Bacchus (Dionysus) the god of wine; and finally Jupiter (Zeus) the supreme ruler and hurler of thunderbolts!

A particularly special treat is an intricately sculpted guilded panel of the Life of Joseph from Ghiberti's famous Baptistry Doors in Florence, aptly named the Doors of Paradise. In addition, most visitors, whether they have been to Italy or not, will recognize the iconic She-wolf with the suckling twins, Romulus and Remus, the future founders of Rome.

One of Florence's most beloved monuments, Pietro Tacca's giant boar, the Porcellino, will also be present too, with its shiny snout that is rubbed by thousands of tourists every year, ensuring their return to the city one day.

Marinelli has also included a selection of traditional and whimsical 20th century original bronzes, by artists with whom they have worked, including two Saint Francis sculptures by Augusto Bargelli; several colorful women of Sergio Benvenuti, the classic Barbara by Antonio Berti and the enchanting Happy
Family (of Oxen) by Sirio Tofanari. Also included are endearing animals, putti, and fountains, even dancing youths, included to delight the visitor and for a good measure of the scope of this remarkable Italian bronze foundry.

The Vineyard at Florence, in addition to producing award-winning wines, offers overnight villas, a café, gallery and wine tasting room. Located just 35 minutes north of Austin and 20 minutes west of Georgetown. The exhibition and wine tasting room is open Sunday through Thursday, 11 am to 6 pm, Friday through Saturday 11am to 7pm. Reservations are not required.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
For general information please contact: Kambrah Garland at [email protected] or 254-793-3363.

111 Via Francesco, Florence, TX 76527 www.thevineyardatflorence.com

Regarding the Marinelli Foundry, please contact
Natasha Garland at: [email protected] or +39 335 6016732

www.fonderiamarinelli.it