Saturnia

SOLD

30” x 40”

Oil and acrylic on panel

Saturnia depicts three women steaming in Italy's famous Saturnia Hot Springs. Hot springs have ever-fascinated me as they provide the rare opportunity to observe the release of thermal energy that is otherwise broiling beneath the earth’s surface. Referred to as “Cascate del Mulino” in Italian, these naturally occuring springs are particularly striking due to the silky-blue shade of the waters and the tiered pools that are so perfectly constructed its almost hard to believe they are not man-made. One ancient Etruscan / Roman legend posited that the springs were formed by lightning bolts thrown by Jupiter. During a violent quarrel between the two mythological deities, the bolts thrown towards Saturn had missed, causing the formations

I referenced a photograph taken by Daniel Scull for the painting, one that I found while perusing images of these gorgeous natural springs while researching places to visit during my 2021 honeymoon. My new husband Taylor and I did actually visit the hot springs after the painting was finished - they did not disappoint.