Tivoli, reflections at Villa d'Este 

Enrico Nardi created this watercolor painting called "Tivoli, reflections at Villa d'Este." Living through both World Wars, Nardi’s impressionistic landscapes emerged during an era of significant social change, with a shift away from traditional academic styles in favor of capturing fleeting moments and emotional responses to nature. While seemingly a straightforward landscape, there's a tension here between the meticulously arranged garden, reflecting aristocratic control over nature, and the fluid, almost dreamlike quality of the water and light. The reflections in the water create a sense of doubling, a blurring of the lines between reality and illusion. The Villa d'Este, with its elaborate fountains and gardens, served as a playground for the elite. By focusing on the reflections, Nardi subtly hints at the superficiality of such displays of wealth and power, perhaps suggesting a world turned upside down. The painting encourages a quiet contemplation of the beauty and artifice, reflecting both personal and societal themes of his time.