Venice: A Box of Chocolate

“Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.”
— Truman Capote

This series is a collection of paintings and drawings that began as relatively faithful depictions of Venice—but quickly transformed into reflections on memories and emotions, both my own and those shared by others. I discovered that everyone seems to carry their own version of Venice. What a spectacular place! It’s as if we all dream the same dream, but each of us dreams it differently.

As the series evolved, it became a kaleidoscope of personal experiences: a friend’s wedding some twenty years ago; listening to La Traviata in a private palazzo; sipping an early morning coffee at Caffè Florian while the rest of the family still slept; even taking part in the historical regatta. These moments—my favorites, the most vivid and significant—blurred together into a series of bright, emotional flashbacks where reality and dreams no longer had clear boundaries.

Like Capote’s box of chocolate liqueurs, Venice overwhelms the senses in the most delightful way—rich, complex, and impossible to experience halfway.

In my opinion, it’s the best city in the world. And this series is my love letter to it.