The Last Visit to Rome – Palazzo Bonaparte and the Secret Impressionists

It’s hard to describe how we feel these days after having been restricted to our apartment for 2 months (March 8th until May 4th). Every day our lives revolved around work (we’re lucky to be working from home), working out once a day and watching a lot of Netflix. Now, the gradual reopening of Umbria has begun and, hopefully, we will be able to travel out of the region in June. Lately, we’ve been consumed with a need to return to Rome! The last time we were in Rome was January 24, 2020, which seems like an eternity. You see, we are really spoiled living here in Foligno because Rome is only 1.5 hours by train. I have to say this: Rome is truly an incredible city. It’s hard to describe a place that would take 5 lifetimes to begin to know well.

The last time we went to Rome, we attended a fascinating art exhibition called Secret Impressionists. The exhibit was at the Palazzo Bonaparte which itself has a long and interesting history. There were more than 50 works by artists that included Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, Pissarro, Sisley Morisot and a number of others. I was surprised to see a work by Gauguin painted before his life in Polynesia. A stunning piece!

I will be the first to admit that I’m hardly an art historian, far from it; however, I feel fortunate to have seen a lot of beautiful paintings during my life. Also, being someone of absolutely NO artistic talent, it’s humbling to be in the presence of these works of art. Here are a number of works that we saw at the exhibit. Of course, the pictures don’t do them justice. I hope you have an opportunity to see some of the Impressionists in person someday!

Lunch is mandatory in Rome!