One of my favorite places to visit in Pistoia was the Marino Marini Museum.

As an artist it is fascinating to view a collection of one artist’s work a see how themes emerge and evolve over a lifetime.

His female nudes are said to be inspired by the Etruscan goddess of fertility Pomona.

A form I am personally beginning to phyically resemble after a month in Tuscany.

Born in Pistoia in 1901 Marino is one of the cities most well known artists to date. His equestrian sculptures of men are probably his most famous.

“The Miracle” pictured below actually is in another open air exhibit space in Pistoia.

I remember the first time I saw his sculpture ““Angel of the City” in The Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice six years ago.

I was moved by the complexity of emotion that can be expressed through such a simplicity of form.

I find it interesting that his female forms are grounded and balanced. Connected to the earth and concepts of birth and rebirth.

The male forms on horseback evolve to defy gravity and challenge equilibrium.

Unfortunately, the Marino Martini Museum in Florence was closed during my stay here. I am interested in exploring his art more in the future.