The trip to Italy was a great inspiration for my Borgia project, and I noticed that one of the city gates in Bologna is dedicated to the Borgia pope, so clearly there was some influence in that city.
Florence is obviously dominated by the di Medici family and is a great place to gain inspiration.
Hence the photographs of Giovanni di Medici, leader of the fabled Black Band.
Personally I take the romantic view that he led a multi armed group, more akin to a legion, of cavalry, arquebus and pike. I hold this view as I am now painting my Pro Gloria pike as the Bande Nere. Absolutely nothing to do with Cesare, but just too good to ignore.
Especially having done a little bit of reading around Giovanni whilst in Florence. As the son of Catherina Sfforza, he was bound to have had an interesting but short life. He was banished from Florence twice, once for murder [!] and secondly for rape of a 16 year old male [!!] and all by the age of 13 years.
Additionally he was reputed to having been dressed as a girl by his mother and hidden in a convent for several years.
Hardly the best start to life. So what we have is a very nasty but very brave piece of work. Who says history is boring.
As for my painting in June, well I have managed to complete my Papal guard, and a unit of Foundry gendarmes,photographs to follow.
The problem with my painting is that at the moment I am suffering from a very bad case of pains in my wrist, elbow and fingers, which is slowing me down alarmingly. So much so, that I have had to change my lighting and employ a heavy towel wrapped around my elbow. Ah the joys of wargaming.
Hopefully my next visit to the doctors will finally enlighten me as to the problem,apart from old age.
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