Villa Balbiano: Italian Opulence on Lake Como (Langue anglaise)

Product Description This volume recounts the centuries-long history of Villa Balbiano, a magnificent architectural masterpiece meticulously restored by Jacques Garcia. From its prominent position on Lake Como, Villa Balbiano radiates a majestic charm emblematic of the most splendid chapter in the history of great villas in the idyllic Italian region. Each successive owner brought new splendor to the villa through additions, new frescoes and statues, and increasingly extensive and sumptuous gardens. The villa’s history reached an acme at the end of the eighteenth century, when the enlightened Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, as master of the house, transformed Villa Balbiano into a crucible of philosophy and art, framed within the villa’s archetypical Roman lines. Today, esteemed interior architect Jacques Garcia has undertaken painstaking restoration work that combines a stunning array of precious materials and a world-class collection of paintings and antique furnishings set against the backdrop of the original design that had been obscured over the centuries. The glorious new restoration inaugurates a new season in the life of the villa in one of the world’s most glamorous locations. Review "Villa Balbiano really is a beautiful publication and one to be treasured. From the opulence of the photographs to the setting of the place in the text, the whole book is a delightful journey to one of the world's most beautiful places. In fact it's one's own mini personal Grand Tour." --The Reckless Gardener From the Back Cover From its prominent position on Lake Como, Villa Balbiano radiates a majestic charm emblematic of the most splendid chapter in the history of great villas in the idyllic Italian region. Each successive owner brought new splendor to the villa through additions, new frescoes and statues, and increasingly extensive and sumptuous gardens. The villa’s history reached an acme at the end of the eighteenth century, when the enlightened Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, as master of the house, transformed Villa Balbiano into a crucible of philosophy and art, framed within the villa’s archetypical Roman lines. Today, esteemed interior architect Jacques Garcia has undertaken painstaking restoration work that combines a stunning array of precious materials and a worldclass collection of paintings and antique furnishings set against the backdrop of the original design that had been obscured over the centuries. The glorious new restoration inaugurates a new season in the life of the villa in one of the world’s most glamorous locations. About the Author Ruben Modigliani, is chief editorial writer for AD Italia. An authority on the history of architecture and taste, he has served on the editorial staff of Elle Decor<, Grazia Casa, and Italia D la Repubblica delle Donne. Bruno Ehrs is one of Sweden’s leading photographers. Flammarion has published his work in Ch�teau de Villette: The Restoration of a French Masterpiece (2018), Chaumet: Parisian Jeweler since 1780 (2017), A Day at Ch�teau de Vaux-le-Vicomte (2015), Vacheron Constantin: Artists of Time(2015), and One Saville Row, Gieves & Hawkes: The Invention of the English Gentleman (2014).