There have been very few occasions when I have made a considerable effort to view art which have turned out to be futile. Today was one such. I particularly wanted to go to the Pinacoteca di Brera, in Milan, on account of their collection of late 19th. century Italian work …. the birth of Italian modernism. I got there this morning to find that the entire room is on loan elsewhere and the room closed for renovation!
The trip was not completely wasted, however, as not only did I encounter some interesting earlier work, quite by chance, but I had the chance to view their restoration workshop. This was exceptionally worthwhile. The workshop is a glass-walled structure so that it is actually possible to see the conservation staff at work on pictures. This is accompanied by a very useful video display, explaining what is going on. It was fascinating stuff.
All is not lost, because I will probably have time for another art raid in Milan on the way home.
Anyway: here I am in Bassano del Grappa, awaiting the arrival of my walking friends tomorrow. Wi-fi is Ok here, but I have no idea what it will be like “in the sticks”.