A ‘not to be missed’ exhibition

Works by Il Perugino A major exhibition at the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria runs from 4th March to 11th June 2023

Following a major renovation programme the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria – the National Gallery of Umbria which sits in a very prominent position in the main Corso of Perugia finally re-opened in a much enlarged form last year.  I suggested, when in the city, to take time and visit the museum to many of my guests, all of whom returned to Bellaugello very enthusiastic about the experience.   I thought it about time I went myself, and finally got to visit earlier this week which fortunately coincided with a major exhibition of early works by the 15th century Umbrian painter Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci from Castel della Pieve, known as “Il Perugino”.

Walk up the Corso, the principal street of Perugia, our regional capital and one quickly sees that this is a proud, strong and elegant city with centuries of history.  Elegant buildings follow elegant buildings, the stone white with dappled grey streaks, mullioned windows and heavy ancient doors lead up towards the Piazza IV Novembre, the large open space in front of the Duomo, which has in its centre the magnificent 13th century Fontana Maggiore, which decadently celebrates a strong water supply to the city.

The Duomo, or cathedral of San Lorenzo, is, like most in Umbria plain facade and took over two hundred years from laying the foundation stone to being consecrated.  But I digress, back to the gallery;

Walk through two heavy imposing doors into the inner courtyard, pass by the bronze Griffin and the Lion, symbols of the city that after centuries of living on the wall of the Sala dei Notari – the city chambers have now been retired.  Their places having been taken by more recent copies, and head left to the ticket office and inevitable gift shop.

The ticket, which includes the entire museum and the Il Perugino exhibition is good value at €10

Now the steady climb, past the council chambers, you are walking a broad staircase with well-worn marble steps.  Climb to the third floor, the signage is not the best, and you are greeted by different spaces, some light, some dark, hand over your ticket and enter the room which commences with paintings by contemporaries of Perugino.

...and on to the Perugino s

The exhibition is brilliantly curated by Marco Pierini and Veruska Picchiarelli and includes at the end a video display showing the skills and attention to detail and huge amount of work of some of the extensive team behind the exhibition.

A picture tells a thousand words, so here are a selection of  some of the paintings that hit my eye.

and This is the Man himself

So, many more paintings some from The National Galleries of UK France and Germany the exhibition continues.  

I all to briefly continued through the extensive galleries in the remainder of the museum, learning about paintings architecture and furniture.  A few pictures follow, and of course no blog post on paintings would be complete without a painting by a follower of Caravaggio.

detail of the Polyptych of Saint Anthony by Piero della Francesca
in the style of Caravaggio by Orazio Gentileschi - detail

The Perugino exhibition runs until 11th June, tickets including the entire gallery complex is €10.

To learn more:

 Click here for the website of the National Gallery of Umbria

When you leave, cross the Corso and head to Sandri, the most traditional café in Perugia, glorious painted ceiling, elegant staff, superb coffee and sublime cakes and exquisite homemade chocolates

So good

This past week Bellaugello Gay Country House has been graced with the presence of Theodore who has been busy helping out whilst soaking up the hot Umbrian sunshine.

Theodore at the infinity pool at Bellaugello Gay Country House in Umbria, Italy, #Bellaugello

Theodore is a very experienced and fully qualified yoga teacher and masseur, and it has been a delight to have him here at Bellaugello, we are getting such great guys here in 2015!

Such love

Oh! I have been naughty!

I have been slow in putting some wonderful photos on my blog.  Recently I have been really busy with this mysterious big announcement that I wrote about in my Christmas cards.  This, rather delightfully has been taking up a great deal of my time and energy, so I have regretfully sidelined other things. AND of course it is behind schedule… this is Italy after all!

Time to begin to make amends;  I continue my theme of couples by posting a photograph of two fabulous guys who not only got engaged here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House, but chose to return with their family to celebrate their commitment ceremony with an ‘exchange of rings’ and family dinner.

These are the most splendid guys you could hope to meet, not only really handsome, but also really great guys.  For me and my team here at Bellaugello near Gubbio in Umbria it was an amazing experience and one that Bellaugello is well suited to.

True love at Bellaugello

The guys rented the entire house, brought their family and close friends and had a real romantic time.  They had planned everything down to the last detail, and even had a back-up plan should the weather have been unkind.   Indeed there was a rain shower at the most inopportune time and the ceremony was hastily moved to one of the covered terraces.  We catered, a very talented couple of musicians played, and everybody danced.

I guess this post is really a chance for me to say a huge and very heartfelt “THANK YOU” to the guys, I am so honoured to be part of such a special moment in your lives. Big hugs to you both!

A good morning’s work

Chilly, dry, just the time to get the Orto or vegetable garden here at Bellaugello Gay Guest House dug over ready for the frost to do its work before planting begins, oh and the new fence is erected!

The orto at Bellaugello Gay Guest House in Umbria, Italy,#GayGuestHouse

Hard sweaty work but so so satisfying. Now we hope for a bit of frost, meanwhile I’m off to sweat a bit more in the sauna!

So near yet so far

Last spring a great friend wrote and told me of friends of theirs who were planning a three month sabbatical here in Umbria and asking me if I could offer assistance with any ‘settling in’ problems that might arise.  Subsequently email contact was made with the friends and I learnt that they were renting a house in Montecastello di Vibio a lovely Umbrian village near Todi, south of lago Trasimeno, maybe less than one hour from Bellaugello Gay Guest House.

Anyway, what with one thing and another we never actually got round to meeting.  Despite my promises to break away from Bellaugello and take a lunchtime excursion to visit, I never quite managed, so eventually the week before the guys are due to return to the UK they called in on their way back from a break on the Adriatic coast, and visited me here at Bellaugello.

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch on the sun soaked terrace, a simple pasta with sauce made from vegetables taken this morning from the orto, and a lively conversation comparing notes about expat life in Italy… much to agree on there!

Before departing a photograph or two was taken, and evidence for our mutual friends that Stuart and Richard did indeed make it to my delightful corner of Umbria, and Indeed I am delighted they did!Sturat and Richard at Bellaugello

 

Another engagement at Bellaugello

They kept it quiet, so quiet, even I did not know until this evening when I received a delightful email from a couple of fantastic guys who, a couple of weeks ago officially got engaged here in the delightful romantic setting of Bellaugello.

I am so chuffed they chose Bellaugello Gay Guest House to affirm their commitment to each other.  They are really splendidly lovely  guys. Together with all the team I wish them every happiness.  LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Now Serving…

High summer. An Infinity Swimming Pool. Hot sunshine. What better than an artisan ice cream?
Here at Bellaugello Fay Guest House in Umbria we have in conjunction with the best gelateria in Gubbio made a selection of artisan ice creams for guests to enjoy poolside or just whenever they please

20140622-133106-48666806.jpg

20140622-133109-48669474.jpg
How better to enjoy the heat of the Italian sun?

20140622-133442-48882013.jpg
And there are lots to enjoy including our exclusive lavender ice cream 🙂

20140622-133922-49162730.jpg