Posted by This is a photo of the Filistrucchi shop and studio in Via Giuseppe Verdi 9 in Florence, which opened its doors in 1720. I took it in 2006.
In Italy they use the word “bottega” for a studio of a master artist, in which lesser artists, apprentices, or students learn by participating in the work.
Bottega Filistrucchi is a place for the production of wigs, prosthetics and masks, and also a workshop accredited by the Tuscany Region (BS0983) for the training of students in the field of theatrical make-up and the production of masks. A place where one can learn the traditional craft.
There are two windows in the photo. One is open, the other is closed. On the left side of the open window there is an inscription. Until today I had not read it. Today I did.
Here is the detail of the photo.
The inscription reads:
“Il 4 Novembre 1966
Qui arrive l’ aqua dell’ Arno”
4 November 1966
The Arno waters have reached here
Arno is the river that crosses Florence. You can see it on the lower left side of the map. The bottega is on the upper left side, marked with a red ellipse. the famous Florentine Bridge, Ponte Vecchio, is marked with a blue ellipse on the lower left side.
Fifteen years after I took the photo, I managed to spot a detail that tells a story. Better late than never.