Italy: Udine

Udine is one of those quintessential Italian towns that we love. They make me want to just settle in for a while. The Alpe-Adria trail goes through town, which also enlivens the town. The Venetians were in charge in Udine for four centuries. Their imprints are very evident today. The highlights were the luminous colors of Tiepolo frescos. I'm sure we had come across him before, but this time he really caught our attention. Born in Venice 1696, he was arguable the best European painter of the 18th century - I had no idea.

With its striking clock tower, monumental statues, and historic twin columns that pay tribute to the city's deep Venetian roots, Piazza della Libertà is the heart of Udine. And along with the Renaissance-style Loggia di San Giovanni (2nd and 3rd below) facing opposite, it all combines to form what is often called the most beautiful Venetian-style square on mainland Italy.
















In the Cappella di Santa Maria del Monte di Pietà, there are two very compelling "Way of the Cross" paintings: "The Crowning with Thorns" and "The Flagellation of Christ". Both (1694) by Giulio Quaglio.




The Civic Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art was showing some fine late 19th century, early 20th-century paintings.






However, the highlight of our visit were the Giovanni Battista Tiepolo paintings of the period 1726 to 1729 at the Museo Diocesano e Gallerie del Tiepolo.


The Sacrifice of Isaac (1726 and 1728) by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo


The Judgment of Solomon (1726–1729) Giovanni Battista Tiepolo


Rachel Hiding the Idols from her Father Laban (1726 and 1728) by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo


These three paintings are all in one room, the Gallery of the Guests. Wow!


And we were happy to spot two 20th-century buildings we liked: The Rationalist Palazzo di Vetro (1935-1936 - 1st below) and the Former Cinema Odeon (1935 - 2nd below).