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Le Grottesche

Via M. Vinzoni, 19015 Levanto SP, Italia ★★★★☆ 207 views
Giordana Zante
Levanto
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About Le Grottesche

Le Grottesche - Levanto | Secret World Trip Planner

Art and irony will suddenly surprise you during your walk through downtown Levanto. At the corner of Via Garibaldi and Via Vinzoni look up at the frontispiece of the first building and you will see a series of curious frescoes that have become known as "Le Grottesche." They are caricature portraits dating back to the 16th century whose author is unknown. They represent one of the few surviving examples in Liguria of a type of decoration, probably of Lombard origin, that was once widespread. The bizarre poses of the characters depicted, quite different from the elegant poses of official portraits, are amusing photographic subjects.

Le Grottesche - Levanto | Secret World Trip Planner
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Frequently Asked Questions

Le Grottesche is located at the corner of Via Garibaldi and Via Vinzoni in downtown Levanto. You'll find the frescoes on the frontispiece of the building at this intersection—simply look up at the facade to spot the curious caricature portraits.
The frescoes date back to the 16th century, though the identity of the artist remains unknown. They represent one of the few surviving examples in Liguria of this type of decoration, which likely originated from Lombardy and was once much more widespread throughout the region.
Unlike the elegant and formal poses of official Renaissance portraits, Le Grottesche features bizarre and exaggerated poses that are caricatured and humorous in nature. This irreverent approach to portraiture makes them particularly amusing and unusual for their time period.
Le Grottesche is visible from the street on the building's exterior, making it free to view at any time during your walk through downtown Levanto. Since it's an outdoor fresco, visiting during daylight hours will give you the best visibility for appreciating the details and taking photographs.
The bizarre poses and exaggerated expressions of the caricature characters make Le Grottesche uniquely photogenic and amusing subjects. These whimsical 16th-century portraits offer a fun and unexpected artistic discovery that provides an entertaining contrast to the more serious historical elements of Levanto.