Squinting to focus his eyes, the little old master puts the final touches on his new chiaroscuro, as his model, Constanza, sits patiently. As the sweet Tuscan sunlight streams through the room, he ponders his painting, life, and love.

A little stronger tone and we're almost done. Enough work for today. Dark to light. Dark to light. Get the dark right, and the lighter parts will paint themselves. It's almost right now, thank the Saints. How many glazes will it take? Fifteen, perhaps. I'm ready for it. It's got to be glowing. It's got to be fine enough for the Palace.

I know Constanza has only a few more minutes for modeling, today. She must get home to her young children.

Isn't she beautiful! I think that husband of her's is a no-good drunken lout. I'll bet he can be found duelling and cavorting half the time like they do in Rome. He hardly deserves her.

Holy Saint Francis, would that I were young again! But, wait...wait...What can I be thinking. What...what if I were as dumb and shallow as I was the first time around? What would be gained? Life is too cruel. Life is too ironic!

I must get this finished and present it at the palace. The Medici penchant for intimate pictures is getting known. Tiziano is sending a painting from Venice, they say. Those Venetians are so brassy! Why don't the stay out of the Florentine art scene? Yes, my fellow Florentines...what will Botticelli produce this time? He'll be lucky if he finishes one at all. His studio is a bawdy banquet day and night. They never finish anything on time over there. Ha...they have a good time anyway. Maybe they'll make something that lasts.

Almost done..my eyes can barely get the tone right. I'm tired, too. I guess I'll stroll down to the Ponte Vecchio, find some bread and wine, and talk to these new visitors from the North. They are always looking for souvenirs from Dante's works.

Very well...done! Thank you, Constanza. That's enough for today!

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The little old master....me, with lots of make-up and white hair dye. lol.


A thousand thanks to the incomparable Tourance, at Ocche-delladea, for the lovely nude portrait, from a private collection. Used by permission.

Her DA icon.....

Many thanks for the stock image of the beautiful room/window. It's from NA-Stock

Their icon....