“Along the design phase of each of the four boutique hotels around the Spanish Steps, the idea was to bring Rome inside each of the palazzi interiors. Diane Epstein was able to collaborate beautifully by interpreting and expressing our vision of the overall look and feel of each interior space, reflecting the mood and ambiance we desired. As part of the vision we commissioned Diane to create over 75 large-scale Fresco Photographs for 30 suites and 4 lobbies, including a 26 foot collage, and sepia-toned architectural details for their rooftop restaurant and public areas. Thanks to the creative work provided by Diane the guests are now able to take a virtual stroll through the Eternal City, inside Rome Luxury Suites.”

Fabrizio Magnaghi
Italian Architect

Cultural and Art Review in Recensito LA ROMA DI DIANE EPSTEIN
La Roma of Diane Epstein is a Vision  “Fresco style” (translated from Italian)

“In the heart of the Capital there is an enchanted Rome: at the gallery Paolo Antonacci at Via del Babuino, it is possible to see glimpses, remnants and tastes of the capital with new, wondrous eyes. Diane Epstein, a fine art photographer, born in New York, who has spent the [last 15 years- 2010] in Rome, redraws the charm of the city in a temporal key, giving her photos a physical and conceptual substance that goes beyond the everyday glance and unhinges the historical value located in the stones, the trees, and in the angles of the fountains.

The photographs of Diane Epstein pay homage to the age-old spirit of the Eternal City.  The technique, printing with the gicle’e process on fine art paper, that the artist has adopted for her work, deposits on the surface of an image that becomes antiquated, with a dense web of cracks, lacerations and rusting of colors that suddenly age the objects and landscapes, capturing them in their historical essence.

Diane works on many levels, stratifying her images to the point of taking them away from the photographic tradition and mixing them with painting.  Her fresco-style evokes the classic technique of the historical fresco but also, in the blurred and rarified chromatic details, a certain pictorial romanticism.  It is the Rome of today yet also the Rome of all time, the one that emanates from the constructed forms of the images of Diane Epstein. The show embraces both the monumental and aristocratic Rome of the piazzas, of the historical districts, of the bridges and the Coliseum, and also the minute, everyday city, of the “streets,” where Diane captures expressions, profiles, gestures and shadows.

In addition to the contemplative insertion of the architectural marvels of the capital, there is also the added parenthesis that is completely contemporary – a sequence of photos that recount the exceptional snowfall of last February [2010] that Epstein has immortalized in its soft, silent beauty.”

Elisa Lorenzini
Journalist, Recensito. Italian Art Journal

 

”Diane is a radiant artist, compassionate, brilliant, curious, and most certainly one of our creative visionaries... She has a deep connection
to life, beauty and nature, and her ability to translate that into her art is a true gift.”

Shauna M. Whidden
Director of Philanthropic Planning | SRF

“Diane has created such distinct, interesting, artistic work! The unique architectural details that she was able to capture, transformed by her photographic technique and the colors that she chose, creates a rare and unusual perspective out of traditional vistas. The hidden view of St. Peter’s between two columns seems taken from the inside, the dome of the Pantheon recalls the perspective play of Padre Pozzo, and the details of the statues at the Campidoglio, treated with an air of misty blue, creates a whole new story. But even the smaller works on paper — of fruits and vegetables — sequenced together, have a modern Renaissance flavor. May she continue to see this city with such distinctive eyes.”

Rita Parma
Museum Director, Instituto Nationale per la Grafica

 

“Using a technique that layers multiple photographs, Diane Epstein’s works capture the monument, cupolas and landscape of Rome [and beyond], blending them with the aged stone and richly encrusted walls of the city.  By adding dimension and texture to architectural details she creates something between a photograph and a painting; elaborate and ethereal visions that evoke spectral, sub-surface images.  Epstein’s large sale panoramic vistas record and recreate both the extraordinary architecture of the ancient city and the fresco paintings that have influenced artists all over the world.” 

Gerald Bland, Inc.
Gallery owner, NYC

“We both agree that Diane Epstein, without a doubt has come to a milestone in her photography, establishing a newfound originality which sets her apart. It is true that her images convey to the viewer a certain serenity and calm while at the same time evoking a melange of wonderfully curious pictures – the photographs speak of untold stories in secret places.”

Stefan Lennert and Jill Barnes-Dacey   
International Art Dealer and Artist

 

“Diane Epstein is an original artist who has developed a profound and extraordinary technique with genuine inspiration. Her fresco images reveal an artist and personality deserving of great admiration and respect.”

— (the late, esteemed) Lorenza Trucchi, Italian Art Critic

These photos are like paintings with layers of love, passion, attention and emotion. Your eyes see beauty and evoke feeling we have forgotten to pay attention to. Italy needs your care and inspiration more than ever right now. Thank you Diane for sharing.

Laura Trucchi
Italian Art Collector

“I appreciate Diane’s photographic works because they are between the dream of a textured image and reality. And then fate adds something you don’t expect. Like the picture of the ever so subtle bicycle that lays against the statue of Babuino, like so many seen at the exhibition at the Spanish Steps, La Roma di Diane Epstein. Rome inspires Diane as she lives it with passion… I like the sounds made of stone between the pre-historical silences of ancient Rome”.

Luigi Boille  
The late Renowned Italian Artist

Diane, I am standing with you in all the openings and possibilities in sharing your art through video and story. Powerful. Expansive. Uplifting. Joyous. Transformational. Inspiring. Brilliant...birthing and celebrating layers of love. Diane Epstein's eye for beauty and vision, and her gorgeous art compilations are truly stunning. Diane has the capacity to bring about profound transformation through both her art and her deep perception. She is brilliant and I highly recommend her and her biophilic art, the whole package.  

Natalie Forstbauer
Editor-in-chief of Heart & Soil magazine, TEDx speaker, entrepreneur

“Diane is a very creative, insightful and perceptive individual.  She has a very keen “eye” whether psychologically or with just the right angle and lighting of a particular object to be immortalized for all time. Diane is an incredibly gifted person who is socially skilled and has the gift to make every person with whom she interacts to feel important and unique. I highly recommend Diane for her professional talents”.

James D’Aurora  
Psychologist 

“Diane’s art is enchanting, deep and timeless. With connection to both ancient wisdom and present illumination, her art is an invitation to a realm of peace and possibilities all around us.  With deep presence, Diane creates a space for uplift, community and connection. She offers a gentle skillful call to empowerment as she reflects others’ true essence and highest possibilities. Her videos are enchanting, deep and timeless. I truly feel immersed in a beautiful land I wish to visit, and I feel connected to ancient wisdom and present illumination. Each work of art resonates in my soul.

Leslie Ambrose
Author and Transformational Leader 

“During each of our ongoing group meetings, (2-3 x month for the last one and a half years), Diane has consistently demonstrated her leadership skills, her ability to hold our group in a loving, supportive and safe container, which has allowed each of us to grow profoundly.  She has the unique ability to combine her art, photography, and spirituality in a way that captures hearts and imaginations in a deep, meditative way.  Diane’s artful presence adds so much value and awakening to our souls.  Diane’s extraordinary talent and contribution are truly what is missing and needed in our world, especially at this time.”   

Suzanne Muchahy
Psychologist, Educator

The ability to see beauty in all things and amplify it through art, conversation, creativity, meditation, visualization, food, connection, and the way Diane Epstein lives and shows up, awakens hearts, soothes the soul and lights a fire within. Diane’s work breathes life into our world, connecting humanity to nature, universal wisdom and planetary actualization. I am deeply moved and grateful by who she is, and the work Diane does! Artistically and universally.

Jen Chase
Writer