Books w/ Simone Olivia Moritz - Die Gestalt des Menschen by Gottfried Bammes

Dear Patrons,

Today we are excited to share with you a brand new Book review by Principal Instructor in the Intensive Drawing program at The Florence Academy of Art, Simone Olivia Moritz.

Simone has an extensive book collection, making it was an absolute pleasure to film this video in her home studio, here, in Florence.

In this review, we learn all about one of Simone’s favourite anatomy manuals Die Gestalt des Menschen by Gottfried Bammes.  Originally published in German in 1964, this manual contains over 1200 photographs, diagrams and drawings, including work by the author himself, and spans over 500 pages. Only in the last couple of years was this book finally translated into English, giving both English-speaking artists and illustrators the opportunity to benefit from this vast body of knowledge, gathered and lovingly presented by Professor Bammes.

Simone's copy has been with her for 15 years, throughout her time as a fine arts student, through to today, in her career as an artist, teacher and lecturer. Simone considers this book an essential tool for any student's arsenal, as it helps to better relate anatomy to live models.

We hope you enjoy this book review!

More about Simone:

Simone Olivia Moritz was born 1985 in Prien am Chiemsee, Germany. Her father being a painter and her mother having exquisite skills in watercolor and drawing she soon felt the desire to follow their footsteps and make painting her life. Her humanistic studies specializing in Latin and philosophy, learning the piano and the violin performing in an orchestra and travelling extensively, to Asia as well as Africa and the United States, allowed her soon to see the world through her own eyes and broaden her artistic vision.

After three years spent as a freelancer doing commission work in restoration, theatre stage design and sculpture with clients such as BMW, she decided in 2006 to move to Florence, Italy to enroll at the Florence Academy of Art. There she found a nurturing ground to deepen her understanding of drawing and painting in a traditional manner. She started teaching for the Academy in 2009 and became Director of Drawing in Sculpture Program in 2011 with only 26 years of age.

Apart from teaching in the Full time Program at the Academy she also gives drawing and painting workshops all around the globe as well as private lessons for prestigious clients.

She has had several solo exhibitions and participates in group shows on a regular basis. Her work is represented by Galleries in New York, Leipzig and Munich and her paintings are in collections in Europe, Armenia and the USA, including collections Michael Huffington an Dr. Richard Massey.

Currently she lives and works in Florence, Italy, focusing on the development of a large cycle of narrative paintings.

To view more of Simone’s work please visit:

FAA Alumni Gallery: Simone Olivia Moritz

Website: www.simoneoliviamoritz.com

Instagram: @simoneoliviamoritzart