We entered the perched village of Monteverdi Marittimo, a place that was still alive with people of all ages, even though the hour was getting late. Some watched us curiously as we drove through.

     It was only one more kilometer beyond the village that we came to the wide open and welcoming gate of Querciolaie. The name of this estate means "the oaks", of which there are many, providing shade and a graceful atmosphere throughout the grounds.

     Our headlights illuminated the first of the modern sculptures that line the driveway up to the main villa. Curves, rounded spaces, mysterious symbols, feminine forms and animal shapes appeared to us as each piece came into the light.

     We passed the artist's workshop, surrounded by a chaotic mix of marble pieces, near-completed sculptures, a torso of Christ somehow separated from its crucifix and some chairs for sitting out amongst the oaks. Inside the partially opened door, we could see the glow of the kiln, used to fire the artist's ceramic pieces.

     It was only a little further, past the 'Creation of Matter' and the lions at the gate, that we reached the sixteenth century Florentine style main villa. We asked for Rolando Stefanacci—the artist and owner—and learned from the housekeeper that he was out walking. We started out on foot and encountered him right away on the sculpture-lined boulevard just down the hill.