Study of Clouds with a Sunset near Rome by Simon Alexandre-Clement Denis

It is amazing how the things we need come to us. I needed a theme for my Italy paintings, to clarify my intent. I was mulling over what it was I wanted my paintings to say when a lecture at the Getty caught my attention.

The Getty Museum hosts different events that I have wanted to attend but never have, so I was excited to sit in on a lecture titled "Nature as It Is, or Ought to Be." The discussion revolved around many new acquisitions and the current exhibition "Sur le motif: Painting in Nature."

The paintings are small landscapes done in a new style, sur le motif or outside. These are the forerunners of the Impressionist who revolted against tradition and painted outside in nature. I was happy to hear that many of these early French outdoor painters were first inspired by the extraordinary lighting of Italy. The jewels of this exhibit have a luminous quality (see the photos) that show an almost spiritual view of nature. They took this influence home with them and infused it into their landscapes of the French countryside.

I realized I had my theme for my Italy painting. "The Luminous Light"