Folon in Florence

Florence truly is a city of art and culture, so it’s no wonder that some of the most famous artists and sculptors are celebrated here, including the talented Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon. If you’re keen on exploring the city, then why not take one of our private tours in Florence, and find out more about the incredible creativity that can be found within.

Jean-Michel Folon was born in 1934, and was not only an artist, but also a painter, illustrator and sculptor. As his talents grew, so did his fame; he had exhibitions all over the world in major cities such as New York, Tokyo and Milan, and now there are many art museums dedicated to him. He is probably most famous for his sculptures though, which he first created in wood, then clay and plaster, followed by bronze.

In 2005 a grand retrospective of his work was held in Florence at the Palazzo Vecchio and Forte di Belvedere. The experience of showcasing his work is said to have been an epiphany for Folon, who was passionate about Italy and in particular the region of Tuscany. It was a dream of his to permanently display his work here, in a place where there was lots of light and above all, a great view. Sadly, he died soon after the exhibition, but his wife, who also happened to be Italian, was determined to find the perfect spot for him, and Florence’s Rose Garden was the answer.

If you take a private tour in Florence’s Rose Garden (or Giardino delle Rose), you can view his permanent collection of sculptures, of which there are 12 in total; 10 bronze and 2 ceramic. The sculpture entitled ‘Partir’ is definitely a highlight; it resembles a huge outline of a suitcase with a ship riding the sea waves inside. From this viewpoint, it rather dramatically frames the entire historical centre of Florence. Be sure not to miss the ‘Everymen’ sculptures either, or the ‘Vivre’ animal, which is not just one creature, but a mix of four!

As well as the sculptures in the Rose Garden, you can also see the famous ‘L’uomo della Pioggia’ (or ‘Rain man’) which is a bronze sculpture of a man being rained on from underneath the umbrella he’s holding. It’s not located in a garden though; instead you can find it on a roundabout near the Varlungo Bridge.

So, why not take a relaxing private tour of Florence which includes visits to see Folon’s artwork? Escape to the peace and tranquillity of the Rose Garden, and see how these sculptures enhance the garden’s natural beauty. Folon believed that sculptures interact with their surroundings…why not see if you agree with him?

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