In the heart of the Renaissance, the Italian city of Urbino was the stage for celebration of the Fuori Dal Limbo watercolor festival. This year, Paraguay shone brightly thanks to the outstanding participation of architect and watercolorist Gerardo González, who, along with a delegation of ten Paraguayan artists, proudly represented the nation’s talent.
The historic Italian city, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, was transformed into a living canvas, with its medieval streets and Renaissance legacy as a dramatic backdrop. From this iconic location, González shared his excitement, expressing his joy at once again taking part in one of the most important gatherings on the international art scene.
“I am so happy to be back in Urbino and to have the possibility to represent my country in this important festival”, González said. “On this occasion, I bring with me the colours of Paraguay, aiming to leave a mark that resonates with the beauty of our land and our culture.”
UNESCO’s Urbino
The selection of Urbino as the venue for the festival is not by chance. The city was the cradle of Renaissance humanism and the centre of the patronage of Federico da Montefeltro, an emblematic figure of the 15th century, who boosted artistic development, attracting the greatest talents of the time. Today, that creative spirit is revived by artists from all over the world who, as González, find in its walls and history an endless source of inspiration.
Urbino Ducal Palace, an architectural symbol of the city and the splendour of the Renaissance, stood as a meeting point between history and contemporary creation. Its halls and corridors now echo with the new voices of art, among them those coming from Paraguay.
Paraguay’s cultural identity
The participation of González and other Paraguayan artists made more than just beautify the festival’s panorama, it projected the countries cultural identity to a global audience. The Paraguayan watercolor, recognised for its delicate light management and the chromatic intensity that evokes landscapes, traditions and local emotions, found a showcase of international resonance at Urbino.
Many Paraguayan artists have shown their works in galleries or events in the last couple of months. On the local stage, the biggest vernissage was Karina Garcete’s “Expo Pantanal Ilustrado.”
