The Charm of Tuscan Artistry

As famous as Italy is for its stunning vistas and sumptuous cuisine, it is also known for its incredible artists. I'm not referring to the great Renaissance artists that can be experienced in galleries and museums but instead the lesser-known yet extremely talented local artisans who painstakingly capture the beauty of this magical country.

I had the pleasure of meeting one such artist at Alla Corte Del Vino, an annual wine festival held at Villa Le Corti in San Casciano Val di Pesa, a small town south of Florence, earlier in the summer. Amid the rows of superb wines, there stood Giuditta Viscardi, a quiet but stylishly dressed woman in front of beautifully painted ceramics that displayed the charm of Tuscany. I was eager to learn about her trade and she too wanted to share her love of her homeland that was showcased in several decorative pieces. Fortunately, our conversation was aided by Piero Guadagno (a friend of the artist) who served wonderfully as translator!

Ms. Viscardi was born in Bergamo and moved to Tuscany with her family when she was a young child. Today she has a laboratory, Decoro Ceramiche in Poggibonsi, a small town 30 miles south of Florence. It is there that she devotes herself to creating and painting objects that represent the emotions and colors of lovely Tuscany including: the slim cypresses that reach up into the Italian sky, the soft and curving hills of Chianti and Sienese Crete, and the olives and grapes that glorify the stunning region. Her skill for painting was nurtured by fellow artisans and later honed through painting courses at Montelupo Fiorentino's Ceramic School.

Her work is often on display at Castello Banfi, a wine producer in the Tuscany region known for its Brunellos, Syrahs, Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignons and blends. Ms. Viscardi continues to charm the owners and its guests with her customized pieces, and her work is prominently displayed in the Castello Banfi Tasting Room. Her love of her country is best expressed as i colori della Terra Toscana, the colors of the Tuscan country.

To contact Ms. Viscardi, you can e-mail her at gvdecoroceramiche@yahoo.it or at G.V. Decoro Ceramiche di Giuditta Viscardi, Via della Repubblica, 15, Poggibonsi, Italy, 53036 ( Tel. 0577985804 - 338903385).

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