My grandfather was one of those unforgettable souls — endlessly generous, kind, and with a soft spot for his grandchildren (especially me, of course 😄).
But he wasn’t just a great man — he was an artist in his own right. He built incredibly detailed wooden ship models, including the majestic Amerigo Vespucci. And here’s the thing: despite their priceless value, he gave them away as gifts to friends and family, just because that’s who he was.
One of those beautiful ships even made its way to my place in Amsterdam, where it now proudly sails on a shelf — a daily reminder of him and his craftsmanship.
At some point, I decided to flip the roles. I painted the Amerigo Vespucci on canvas and brought it to him for his room in Naples. A small gesture, but it felt meaningful — like my way of saying, “Look, Nonno, you’re the artist who inspired me too.”
That canvas stayed with him, just like his support and example have always stayed with me
