As we all know, summer is the time for the finer things in life! And what could be better than the combination of art and wine enjoyment! For this very reason, sculptures by the renowned French artist Nathalie Decoster will be presented for the first time in and around Panzano in Chianti until September 18, 2019 under the title Panzano Arte. And not in a museum or gallery, but along a "trail", a path through the vineyards between vines and grapes, where sculpture and nature form a harmonious unity...

Wineries and vineyards as a backdrop for sculptures

25 sculptures and three large-format photographs by the French artist with the distinctive flowing mane of hair are exhibited along an "art trail" that winds its way through the public squares of Panzano in Chianti, through the hilly landscape of the Chianti Classico, past wineries and through the vineyards.

The four wineries Fontodi, Renzo Marinai, Tenuta Casanuove and La Massa are partners in this unusual art project: over a glass of Chianti Classico at these estates, you can take in the interplay of shapes and colors, of sculpture and nature, before embarking on a journey to the next artistic surprise.

And the individual works are certainly suitable for this - they have names such as "Dans la Lune", which means that one's thoughts are somewhere else, far away, on the moon, or "Le Temps qui passe" (cover picture), which can be translated as "the time that passes". A map of where which sculptures are located and further information on the exhibited objects, the artist and the participating wineries can be obtained from the small Panzano Arte office next to the Enoteca Il Cardo, just a few steps away from the Piazza di Panzano.

Nathalie Decoster: Sculptures of figure and form

The artist Nathalie Decoster is best known for her often large-scale bronze sculptures, which frequently relate figures to geometric shapes. The overarching theme of her works - as the names of her objects exhibited in Panzano make clear - is man and his connection to time and nature.

In view of the transience of nature, in which the sculptures are embedded with great sensitivity, one could also say that the Panzano Arte exhibition is an invitation to the viewer to become aware of the value of time. And even if it may not seem so at first glance, in a wine region where the passing of the seasons and the associated changes in vegetation play a central role, the themes of time and transience are perfectly suited to an art project. Her sculptures The sculptures selected by curator Mila Sturm can be seen at the wineries and along the art trail until September 18, 2019.

Dario Cecchini: passionate butcher and ambassador for art

The idea for this special type of art presentation, which is taking place for the first time this year, came from Dario Cecchini, the famous "Macellaio" from Panzano in Chianti. While Dario normally delights guests with his meat creations in his three restaurants - Officina della Bistecca, Solociccia and Dario Doc - he is the inspiration behind Panzano Arte for the highest artistic delights.

And of course, Nathalie Decoster's sculptures can also be found in the Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano in Chianti. And a little tip from Nina for anyone interested in art and wine: the annual Vino al Vino wine festival will take place in Panzano in Chianti from September 12 to 15, 2019. Two more than good reasons to visit Panzano in Chianti in the near future.