After boarding the wrong bus, we somehow managed to get off at a stop only one town away from Bottai. Thanks to the technology of cell phones, Nick picked us up minutes after we got off the bus, and we crammed into his car and drove off to his home.
Here we are entering a small opening in the ivy, not sure of just what exactly lies on the otherside.
A small studio delightfully packed floor to ceiling with materials, artworks, books, memorabilia and inspirations. Here Nick is showing us his multiple-plate color etchings from the Icarus series.
Into the press room where a hundred year-old etching press and an even older tree-beam share the space.
This is the front of his house and he invites us into the chapel.
This sign, which is posted on the outside of the building, states that it was the home of the great fresco painter, Domenico Ghirlandiao. Ghirlandaio painted some of the most important frescoes in the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence.
And, in fact, we can see that he painted some in his own home chapel. (Yes, this is where Nick lives!)
Outside once again we are greeted by Bruce, who is Nick's daughter's dog. Both Nick's grown daughter and grandson, as well as his grown son, live on "the compound".
The students delight in the ripe plums growing in the garden.
This is the courtyard that joins the studio, chapel, and homes of Nick and his children.
Upstairs to the rooftop terrace with a view of the Duomo in the distance.
Ghirlandaio's original hearth (the kitten in the basket is more recent). It is still used for cooking and heating.
And, of course, the typical italian style of dish storage and drying. Place wet plates in the racks over the sink and they drip dry into the sink below. Every apartment, including ours, uses this system and it beats the unsightly drying racks that we use at home!
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