The Municipio, Florence

This painting, depicting the municipality of Florence, belongs to English artist Francis Sydney Unwin — a prominent representative of urban and architectural landscape painting. He strived for detail and realism, which is why the work was done using the etching technique — engraving an image on a metal plate, followed by the application of ink.

It is important to note that 1914 marked the beginning of the First World War. So, perhaps the calm and quiet atmosphere of the painting reflects the artist’s yearning for peace. Though this remains only a hypothesis among scholars and art historians. All we can do is observe the intriguing details: children playing, tranquil animals, and people going about their daily lives.