Reviving Renaissance: Jiayi Lu's 'Fresh Grapes of Toscan'

Award-winning Photography Series Merges Art and Commerce

Jiayi Lu's inspiration for this project stems from Tuscany's reputation for high-quality, organic grapes, and its rich history of art and the Renaissance. The series of photographs, reminiscent of oil paintings, beautifully encapsulate the region's unique characteristics. The use of art elements in commercial photography is a nod to the idea that both commerce and art are born from life.

What sets this design apart is the unique portrayal of Tuscany's grapes, famous for their role in wine production. The photographs, taken in the style of oil paintings and incorporating vintage elements such as handmade lace textiles, showcase the region's typical features. The result is a series of images that are not just visually appealing but also tell a story about the region's rich cultural heritage.

The photographs were shot using a digital camera with flash, and later edited with Photoshop and Lightroom to achieve the desired effect. The final prints, measuring 397mm x 420mm, were produced using indigo print technology. The use of flash photography and editing tools allowed Jiayi Lu to create images that resemble old paintings, with colors in low hue, giving the photographs an oil painting-like appearance.

The project, which started and finished in Florence in August 2017, required extensive research into Renaissance painting and arts. This was necessary to capture the color mood of the paintings and the typical composition of a picture. The challenge was to create a scene and atmosphere reminiscent of classical paintings, using simple elements from the location. The goal was to create an undertone of style and make the picture strictly adhere to the style of an oil painting.

The 'Fresh Grapes of Toscan' series was awarded the Silver A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The series, admired for its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcases a remarkable level of excellence and introduces positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.