A New York Times Article, The City That Inspired Rothko, caught my attention a couple of months ago as it read that the American painter was influenced by his trips to Florence which informed his understanding of space and color. It went on to say that he was particularly taken by Fra Angelico’s frescos in the Convento San Marco and the Lauerntian Library designed by Michelangelo. Furthermore, it announced a major Rothko exhibition in the Palazzo Strozzi with works expanding also to the two sites mentioned above. Since Fra Angelico’s art, especially his Annunciation at the staircase top at the Covento, stirred me so much I wanted to experience this through the lens of Mark Rothko. So my husband, David, and I planned a quick trip to Italy in early May.

And extra bonus was meeting Sara Buoso, a Rome art curator and writer whom I have known through her writing of my work since 2019. It was a great pleasure to meet in person and excitedly exchange ideas of possible projects!