(map) 
“A picture is a poem without words.” -Horace
A revolution has been brewing for almost a decade on the Piazza Navona. Millions arrive to see Bernini’s magnificent Fountain of the Four Rivers and to stroll around, perhaps hoping to acquire an original picture of a Roman scene painted and signed by the artist in front of them. Now the tensions are high: real artist are pitted against counterfeit ones.
“Art is not a thing, it is a way.”- Elbert Hubbard
After nearly 6 years of regulatory confusion concerning artist permits and street vendor authorizations, the absence of rules means anyone (real artists and fakers) can enter and do what they want. The result has been a dilution of creativity and a strengthening of chaos and clutter. The legitimate are at a disadvantage to the counterfeiters who defraud travelers by peddling reproductions passed-off as originals. But why should the artists, some of whom have been on the Piazza since the 1960s, pay the price for the City’s failure to control those who bring urban decay to this beautiful place? 
Leonardo is turning in his grave! I believe society is obligated to defend those among us who have the ability to suspend reality and, with a brush in hand, transfer it onto a canvas – to make arte. George Bernard Shaw said it best when he wrote, “Without art, the crudeness of reality would make the world unbearable.”
What is at stake on the Piazza Navona is the keepsake of a city. Art has defined Italy since the Renaissance and just like the oxygen in our atmosphere, civilization and Rome need it to survive.
Photographs and painting by Massimilliano Balletti.
La nostra Cara signora DeBella
all is art and all have a place…some enjoy Elvis on velvet Let those with an eye choose
Jojo: You are right…art is in the eye of the beholder! :)toni
Grazie signora
Voi siete più grazioso
Love Piazza Navona!
I don’t know if anyone else has discovered this, BUT by right clicking on the picture you can save it as a backround on your computer as wallpaper. I have so many beautiful wallpapers now and it brings my poor little mind back to beauty.
Thanks for all of the great photo’s.
Greg
As an artist in the U.S., I can tell you that it’s frustrating to compete with the buy-sell easy-outers who just buy a mass-produced object, open a box, and pawn it off as art. We artists work sacrifice to create new art, so it’s harder to sell cheap. Average tourists sadly won’t know or care.
In quest’economia sara’ ancora piu’ difficile con tutto quanto disponibile dalla Cina, ecc. Ma continuo a creare e a mostrare, immaginando che sia cosi’ da secoli, l’arte accanto al kitsch. Caveat emptor.
My question exactly!..How does one FIND the legitimate artists at the Piazza?
I adore this piazza with the beautiful fountains, children playing, and locals providing a variety of entertainments. Wish I were there now!
Nancy and Deb,
It’s true, we HAVE to support artist and encourage originality. We can all decide which piece of art speaks to us…this is subjective, but what is not in dispute is that art is created not stolen. If some people want to buy reproductions, this is okay with me. What is not okay is that the artist on the Piazza who is making artshould have a chance to be found. Deb, I think by talking to the sellers (if you can’t tell be looking at the pictures), it may become apparent that their hearts and souls are in the work. I heard it was proposed that any artist in Navona must personally create the art and sign it, in order to sell there. It’s a problem that I hope Rome will be able to solve. Thanks for writing. toni
Well written, Toni, I hope you count yourself amongst the artists in life. As a very small collector of art and a fan of Rome, it would be a boon to know that I am buying “real” art from the artist. I am often reluctant to purchase anything on the Piazza, thinking it is a sham. But I always want to purchase a piece wherever I travel as a momento. And as a testament to the people and their craft. I hope they work it out and let the rest of us know….
Thank you Kathi for writing and pointing out that there are many people out there who love artists and their Art. I was just in Paris a few days ago and bought a little painting from an older gentleman artist in Montmartre because I liked his work, but also because I wanted to buy it from him – he looked like he has worked hard all his life and the purchase would mean as much to him as it would to me. I will always have this scene of Paris to remind me of my wonderful trip there and when I look at it I can return to Paris (in my mind) anytime I like. Art is great that way! Toni