It goes deserted auction for the Casino dell'Aurora with Caravaggio

(ANSA) - ROME, JANUARY 18 - The Casino dell'Aurora, the only surviving structure of Villa Ludovisi, one of the most beautiful private residences of pre-unification Rome, is going up for auction.

But the first attempt to sell the monumental complex and its members, first of all the only fresco by Caravaggio existing in the world ("Camerino di Giove Nettuno e Pluto or Gabinettoalchemico"), closes without being awarded because it is "deserted".

The basic price was set at 471 million euros.

In April, therefore, a new auction could be carried out with a low value.

    At the origin of the affair was the lack of agreement between the heirs of Prince Don Nicolò Boncompagni Ludovisi, owner of the residence, who died in 2018. In the past, as Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi told Reuters, both BillGates and an Emir of Qatar had expressed interest in that which is a real treasure trove of art. In the Casinodell'Aurora, about 2800 square meters, there are also five rooms frescoed by Guercino and then sculptures, stuccos, statues, columns and the splendid garden. In short, a total heritage to make the house a museum pole. The Special Superintendence of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Rome requested, among other things, the restoration of the architectural and artistic assets. Works that will remain the responsibility of the future buyer,the cost of which was estimated at around 11 million euros and deducted from the value. (HANDLE).