A Life in Ruins

I am not the first traveler to find Italy to be a revelation – but so it was for me. Spending time in Florence and Rome in 1987 and 1988 was a sensory education and it set me on my professional course as a paintings conservator. I have Roberto Bertinelli to thank for the opportunity and for his faith in me – it changed everything.

I loved drawing and painting there. Initially, I was drawn to what I regarded as the elegance and restraint of Florence. I found Rome harder to comprehend and a little overwhelming. My jury was also definitely out at that time on the Baroque… I had much to learn.

But Rome started to work its magic with its ancient ruins.

The Forum, Rome, 1987

The Baths of Caracalla, Rome, 1988

The Baths of Caracalla, Rome, 1987

The Baths of Caracalla, Rome, 1988

The Baths of Caracalla, Rome, 1988

Circo Massimo, Rome, 1987

Circo Massimo, Rome, 1987

The Forum, Rome, 1987

Forum, Rome, 1988

Rome, 1988,

Rome, 1988,

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Roberto on the train, 1987

Roberto, Rome, 1987

Mike and Roberto, 1987

Roberto Bertinelli 1956-1994 – much missed.

“Now it’s over. Of him there remains an impressive collection of publications but above all the memory of a capable young man, with acute intelligence from serious research, and a cordial and friendly human disposition that made him beloved. And the bitterness and pain of the teacher remains, mourning the loss of the best pupil and of the dear friend.” – excerpt from the obituary by Roberto’s mentor, Professor Piero Corradini (1933-2006), published in Mondo Cinese, 86, Maggio-Agosto 1994.