Description: Usually,we buy a poster that evokes the essence of a place that we especially enjoyed, and,upon returning home,spend $200.00-$300.00 to have the poster framed.
This time, in Bruges, for $400.00 + $70.00 for shipping,we purchased two beautiful watercolors,framed very suitably to enhance the winter and summer scenes depicted in each. The horizontally oriented winter scene, signed by Mr. Socotti,who was painting at his site outdoors when we happened upon him,focuses on a bridge over frozen canal surrounded by snowy trees and roofs-framed in a simple but elegant dark-grey metal bordering frame. This winter scene contrasts with the vertically-oriented summer scene which depicts a typical narrow street with a few human figures strolling upon it, surrounded by several buildings with the "steps-down" upper front of roof pattern seen often in Bruges. This scene is framed in the same gray metallic. Of the two, I prefer the winter scene, but both will adorn our walls soon.
I wracked my brain, pored over maps, and searched the net, but I couldn't be completely sure of where Mr. Socotti's "spot" was until I saw a photo of the Duc De Bourgoyne by Joantri right on our IGOUGO site. I knew Socotti's "spot" was just off the Burg where you enter an alley (Blinde Eizelstraat?)next to a chocolate shop & directly to the side of a restaurant. I reasoned that these remembered details would place it in Huidervettersplein in front of the Duc de Bourgoyne restaurant-hotel,and the photo proved I'd remembered correctly for I recognized that was the hotel I was standing before as my husband was buying the pictures. But no one should have to agonize & tweak the brain as I did. Jot it down immediately in a journal! I've given his e-mail address as we can recommend him whole-heartedly.We paid in Am EX traveller's cheques, told him when we would be home so he could coordinate shipping to arrive when we could receive it, and we were completely satisfied when the paintings arrived very carefully packaged and in perfect condition.
It was a pleasure dealing with this gentle man and we will be most happy with our "souvenirs" of Bruges. His "address" is just to the right of the Duc De Bourgoyne at 12 Huidersvettersplein.And, now you can see his photo and the autumn beauty that inspires him.
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