Campriano is presently an agricultural estate but has an ancient history.  While there is conjecture concerning Etruscan origins, not unlikely given the proximity of Murlo, there is architectural evidence dating Benedictine activity at the site in the year 1000 A.D. Through the centuries the estate was owned by some of the most famous families of the Sienese aristocracy, in particular the Ardengheschi and Tolomei.  It has been in the family of the present owner Ranuccio Neri since 1914 when his grandfather Dario Neri, a famous landscape painter, bought it to live and work in.  Neri was best known for his paintings of the eroded hills of Siena, the “Crete Senese”. His work was critically reviewed and appreciated by his friend, the great art historian Bernard Berenson.

The Murlo workshop will offer experienced painters the opportunity to work intensively without the disruption of daily movements.  Campriano will serve as our base and given the beauty and topographical variety of the estate most painting sessions will take place there.  This will enable participants to develop longer term and larger scale works.  An introduction to the technique of indirect painting will be available to interested oil painters.  Apart from this there will be no formal instruction.  Slide shows on issues relevant to landscape painting will be held two evenings.  Critiques will be held daily.