A personal project based on Giovanni Boccaccio’s 14th century novel The Decameron. It tells the story of 10 young Florentines escaping the city of Florence during an outbreak of the plague, where they stay in an old villa in the countryside. Whilst here, they pass the time by telling stories, and for two weeks a total of 100 stories are told, spanning themes of love, comedy, error, and wisdom.

 

The Decameron is a masterpiece of comic, romantic, and tragic tales drawing on ancient folklore, classical literature, and folk songs.

 

These two illustrations establish the backdrop of the Italian countryside with the city of Florence in the distance, with the group of travellers (in modern day dress) as they begin to tell their stories to one another.

 

Click on the images to enlarge and view.