Mr. Gardner

Breaking of a Perfect Piece (P2)

This isn't edited and probably has a tonnee of errors. I'll look over this chapter int he next couple days to fix the errors but... here's a new chappie! yayy!!!

I'd also like to add a disclaimer that in this chapter their is some 'facts' about famous painting and art history that none is really true, it's all made up fromt he story so please don't come at me if you're an art history buff

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" I'll be giving brief descriptions of certain pieces throughout the tour, and talking about some history in-between. If at all you have any questions regarding the art, the building or the wine that you are drinking, I'm here to answer them." He finished with that pearly white smile again, making some of the girls giggle in response.

"With that being said, I think it's safe to say that we can start the tour."

*

Lowden proceeded to lead the group to the first of many art pieces. They all hung on pure white panels with lights shining evenly above them, and two small poles placed in front to prevent us from getting too close. A low melody of classical music made its appearance once we entered the main walk-through and created an enjoyable environment.

As we all gathered around the painting, Lowden waited a moment for us all to look over the beautifully crafted piece. It was like what you'd see online, renaissance style with the beautiful marble skin tones and brilliant use of realism. The painting was of a woman cloaked by her own scarf, looking into a garden as she sat on a grey brick fence. Everything about it was as if someone had simply taken a picture.

"This piece here is dated all the way back to 1514. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, this artist captured the beauty of Margherita Granduca as she passes time in her garden. What truly makes this a unique piece is the material used, as the blue paint you see here-" Reaching forward to point along the dainty scarf wrapped around her neck, Lowden stopped to look back at the group. "-can't be replicated to this day."

Everyone let out curious and fascinated sounds while leaning closer to get a better look. The blue really popped out, as it was the most vibrant paint in the whole image. The woman was the main part of the piece, but something about the scarf made you wonder why the artist put so much detail into it.

"What makes it unreplicable?"

Everyone turned and looked to Ms.Cohen who'd just spoken. Her wine glass hovered over her lips as she stared at the painting with confusion.

Lowden gave a quiet chuckle to himself and fixed his footing like he was already prepared for the question.

"Well, paints back then were made from a variety of ingredients which we now know to be toxic. Unfortunately, this colour you see before you were one of the most toxic of its kind. The unique mixture of chemicals creates this stunning light blue, but also creates a deadly mixture once contact is made with the skin."

I gently nodded my head from his interesting fact and watched everyone else share looks to one another. As much as I found the history of the art interesting, a part of me really just wanted to be able to view the art freely, just listen to the echoed piano in the distance as I take my time viewing each piece.

Managing to zone out, I looked past the painting and to ones that were further away. Small groups of people stood in front of them looking at the painted details. Some paintings were large enough that I could make out the image from where I stood, but some were tiny compared to the wall they hung on.