The Roman residence of Princes Ludovisi Boncompagni, adorned with the only mural painting signed by Caravaggio, will be auctioned on Tuesday January 18 in Rome, to the great displeasure of art lovers who are asking the Italian State to do so. acquire.
Read the fileCaravaggio, a life in chiaroscuro
In addition to the unique fresco by Michelangelo da Caravaggio, the auction will also concern the sumptuous Villa Ludovisi, located in the very center of Rome between the famous via Veneto, cradle of the Dolce Vita, and the Spanish Steps, d other exceptional frescoes by Guercino (1591-1666) and a sumptuous garden.
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The Italian press, which does not hesitate to speak of "
the auction of the century
", is buzzing with rumors about the names of the potential buyers of this artistic and architectural treasure, citing among others Bill Gates or the Sultan of Brunei. The Casino de l'Aurore, the official name of this extraordinary palace, is estimated as a whole at 471 million euros, which represents a quarter of the annual budget of the Italian Ministry of Culture.
The auction was decided by a court in Rome to put an end to the bickering between the heirs of Prince Nicolo Ludovisi Boncompagni, head of this ancient family of Roman nobility who died in 2018. The dispute opposes the third and last wife of the prince, Rita Jenrette Boncompagni Ludovisi, a colorful 72-year-old American who posed for Playboy, to the children born from her first marriage.
Many would like to take advantage of this unique opportunity for this jewel to be bought by the Italian State, as requested by a petition published on the change.org site, entitled “
SOS culture sold at a discount
” and which has already collected nearly 35,000 signatures. "
The Casino de l'Aurore, that is to say what remains of the Villa Ludovisi, sung by (the writers) Nicolas Gogol, Henry James and Gabriele D'Annunzio as a marvel of Italy (...) will be sold at auction to individuals, when the State should have exercised its right of pre-emption on the priceless painting by Caravaggio valued at 350 million euros
”, denounces the petition.
A mythological Caravaggio
According to Italian media, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini wrote in January to Prime Minister Mario Draghi and his colleague from the Economy Daniele Franco to make them aware of the affair. Under Italian law, the government can only exercise its right of pre-emption after it has actually been acquired by a private individual, within 60 days of the conclusion of the sale and offering the same purchase price.
The work of Caravaggio (1571-1610), which dates from 1597, is on the first floor of the residence. This oil painting by the master of chiaroscuro, who died prematurely at the age of 38, represents Jupiter, Pluto and Neptune with the terrestrial globe and the signs of the zodiac in the center. "
It is probably one of his first works (...) and it is very interesting because it deals with a mythological subject whereas Caravaggio painted almost exclusively works of a religious nature
", estimates the historian of art and ex-museum curator Claudio Strinati.
The name of the Casino de l'Aurore, born as an outbuilding of the Villa Ludovisi which has now disappeared, is due on the other hand to the fresco by Guercino representing the goddess Aurora on her chariot.
"
It is a very beautiful, very important building, with the presence of these very beautiful paintings, so it would be very positive if it became a public good and could accommodate a museum and cultural activities
", judges the professor. Strinati.
This historic auction, to which billionaires from around the world whose list is kept secret have been invited, will begin Tuesday at 3 p.m. and will last 24 hours.
The low estimate was set at 353 million euros.
Only amateurs who have paid 10% of the initial bid will be admitted to bid.
