Annibale Carracci – Bologna through January 7, 2007

Bologna is a beautiful city in central Italy. It is known for its voluptuous women, fresh pasta, tortellini, fast cars, industry and the University. For many years Bologna was the center of the Italian communism and is home to one of the largest Universities in the world. Museums and other cultural centers are an important part of life in Bologna. Bologna is often overlooked as a vacation destination yet there are numerous things to see and do including a visit to Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.



Bologna has brought together some of the works of Annibale Carracci at Museo Civico Archeologico of Bologna, September 27, 2006 through January 7, 2007. The admission to the show includes access to several other museums in Bologna during the same period. If you intend to be in the area this fall this could be an interesting way to spend a couple of hours before a great dinner of Tortellini alla Bolognese.


Annibale Carracci was born in Bologna in 1560. His early works include the Bottega del Macellaio, the Butcher's Boutique permanently housed in the Kimball Museum in Fort Worth, and Mangiafagioli, the Bean Eater. These illustrations are appreciated for their dominate realism. Additional works from this early period are also found in the Galleria Nazionale of Naples, the Uffizi in Florence and the Pinacoteca in Brera (Milan).


His first works, the Baptism of Christ, the Madonna and the Saints, the wedding of Saint Catherine and the Assumption of the Virgins, appear from 1583 when he was traveling in Tuscany and Venice. During this period he experimented with brilliant colors and contrast. He then worked on the affreschi in Palazzo Magnani in Bologna. In 1595 he was called to Rome to decorate the camerino of Palazzo Farnese with the stories of Hercules and Ulissis. Walking in front of Palazzo Farnese in the evening the lights of the first floor shine through the windows (the first floor in Italy is the second floor in the US). Brilliant colors on the high ceilings are clearly visible. These are the works of Annibale Carracci!


He continued working on his single paintings while employed in the realization of numerous domes of the primary churches of Rome and Naples. Today his paintings are found in Museums across Europe and his affreschi in numerous churches.

Annibale Carracci died in Rome in 1609.

Tags:Carracci Kimball Museum Bologna Italian Museums Rome Emilia Romagna Art and Culture Renaissance Travel Italy

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Lamborghini – Tractors to Sports Cars

No trip including the visits to the top sports car producers would be complete without Lamborghini. Located in Sant’Agata Bologna, about 25 minutes from Maserati and Ferrari, the Lamborghini factory is easily accessible. This top line producer has a very interesting history. It is the most recent of the top name producers; the first sports model was created in 1967 but the company was established just following WWII.

In 1948, Ferruccio Lamborghini began purchasing WWII surplus vehicles and parts. He would assemble the parts to create tractors badly needed during the post war rebuilding and expansion. The company was successful but his passion was motors. In 1963 he created his first automobile. The car was an immediate success but the true money machine was the tractor business. It also was his downfall. In the 70s with falling demand for the high-end cars in the US and a cancelled order for 5,000 tractors to Brazil the company was strapped for cash.

Lamborhini sold 51% to an investor who changed the focus of the company attempting to increase profit margins. More money was needed and Lamborghini sold his remaining shares, then came Chrysler and finally, in 1998, Audi bought the company outright, bringing sufficient financing and restructuring the company returning the company to quality products. The last 10 years have seen a great rebound in the fortunes of Lamborghini however Ferruccio never saw his company return to greatness. In 1994, just a few years before the entrance of Audi, Lamborghini died.

His legacy is a monument to Italian ingenuity and workmanship. I have never owned or driven a Lamborghini but it is a dream. One time on the track, take this beautiful vehicle out and let her go.

Tags: Lamborghini Race Cars Emilia Romagna Bologna Italy

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