Clever Magazine, Spring '05 " Lions of Firenze " (www.clevermag.com)

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An Art Exhibit:

The Lions of Florence

a photo essay

by Scott Beavin

Editor's Note: Everybody loves Florence, Italy, for reasons too numerable to list. But one standout is the public sculpture that adorns the buildings and piazzas, the palaces, and the gardens throughout the city. Fine art photographer, Scott Beavin, submitted these photographs of the lions of Florence for us to enjoy. These remarkable images are joyful reminders of the exquisite beauty of the city. And so it's with deep appreciation that we present Scott's photographs to you.

"Palazzo Pitti, Florence"
This lion is one of a pair of lions guarding a rear entrance to the Pitti Palace,
a former residence of the Medici during their heyday.

Palazzo Pitti, Florence"
This is one of 5 or 6 lions that adorn the facade of the Pitti Palace.
They are huge, probably 5 feet tall. They are all placed underneath the massive windows that line the palace. Each lion has a different expression
and some of them even have crowns on top of their heads.

"Boboli Gardens, Florence"
This lion is a relief sculpture located on a very large planter that was carved out of a giant slab of granite. The height of this lion is probably 3 feet, chin to top of mane.

"Piazza della Signoria, Florence"
This lion, created out of marble by Flaminio Vacca between 1594 and 1598,
was originally located at Villa Medici in Rome. It was relocated to Florence in 1787 where it has been guarding the steps leading up to the Loggia dei Lanzi
from the Piazza della Signoria ever since.

"Piazza della Signoria, Florence"
This is a detail of the photo above.

One very old lion still guarding the steps.

"Piazza della Signoria, Florence"
This lion, "Leone," guards the right side of the steps leading
up to the Loggia dei Lanzi from the Piazza della Signoria, opposite the above lion. This lion dates to the 2nd century BC. It was restored in 1598 and paired up with that lion at Villa Medici in Rome. In 1799 it was moved to Florence
and placed where it stands today.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in Orlando, Florida, fine art photographer Scott Beavin has been making images for more than twenty years. After earning degrees from the University of Florida and the Southeast Center for Photographic Studies, Scott embarked on a personal journey of self-expression. Drawing inspiration from daily life, Scott’s photographs focus on what others may miss. His eclectic vision has led to the creation of an introspective body of work that observes the randomness as well as the order of the world around him. Scott’s photographs, although varied in subject matter, all share similar qualities. They exude quiet elegance. They are sensuous and peaceful. They are deeply considered observations emphasizing the ever present beauty of daily existence.

In order to maintain the consistency of his vision, Scott prints all photographs himself. By printing his own work, Scott is able to ensure his observations are accurately translated from his mind’s eye into the surface of the photographic paper.

The photographs of Scott Beavin are included in collections, both private and public, throughout the United States as well as in Europe.