In the heart of Italy’s forgotten corners, Roman Robroek (previously featured) masterfully unveils the hidden splendor within the neglected remnants of history. His lens captures more than just decay; it resurrects the beauty of intricate frescoes and paintings that once breathed life into grand structures. Wandering from the north’s rustic villas to the south’s deteriorating estates, Robroek’s journey through Italy reveals a tapestry of expressive art interwoven with textures of remnants from the past. The vibrant splashes of color, lying dormant yet defiant against the erosion of time, narrate stories long past. Rooms come alive with frescoes that embrace walls and ceilings alike, transforming otherwise forsaken spaces into vivid canvases of history and creativity. Each captured image offers a glimpse into the soul of these abandoned places, preserving the artistry that defied oblivion.
Robroek’s photography elevates the dialogue between the past and present, allowing the forgotten whispers of Italian artistry to echo once again. He delves into the technical intricacies of frescoes, where the seamless blending of pigment with lime plaster breathes immortality into the artwork, secured within the walls themselves. These visual chronicles demonstrate how, despite neglect, beauty can persist and inspire anew. Italy’s abandoned places become more than relics of architectural past—they emerge as sacred galleries showcasing the enduring brilliance of human creativity. In Robroek’s eyes, these derelict creations are a demonstration of the resilience of art, captivating us with a paradoxical combination of decay and splendor, ruin and artistic triumph.
Photographing abandoned buildings in Italy is always a pleasure. This country has a special place in my heart, and it is my favorite country to visit. I’ve regularly visited Italy to photograph the amazing architecture of abandoned houses from North to South. During my architecture photography trips, I also gathered a collection of photos of breathtaking paintings and drawings in or on the abandoned buildings. Some of these beautiful paintings even cover the whole room, including the ceiling. Some of the wall artworks in these photos are described as frescoes. Fresco is a technique where freshly laid, or wet lime plaster, is painted. Water is used to ‘transport’ the dry-powder pigment to merge with the plaster, and while the plaster is setting it becomes an integral part of the wall. The resulting wall paintings are stunning.
Roman Robroek
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