museum of Boncompagni-Ludovisi ( museo Boncompagni-Ludovisi )

 

After the death of the heirless Prince Andrea Boncompagni in 1972, his widow Blanceflor De Bildt decided to donate to the a small villa in eclectic style, dating back to the beginning of the twentieth century situated in the street of the same name, which was to be used as a centre for cultural activity to the Italian State.

This request was disregarded for many years and the building at first was almost granted to Portugal, then it was restored to the heirs who reclaimed the property in case the opening of the centre would be further delayed.

The building's use a museum was only decided at the beginning of the '90S. It was therefore renovated for the occasion (as illustrated by the permanent exhibition situated inside the stables), and it has housed the first Italian collection entirely dedicated to the decorative arts since 1995.

Objects of art and of architectural ornamentation, fashion, costume and design from the end of the XVIII century until today (the result of the addition to the initial nucleus of donations of works by artists such as Ernesto Basile, Galileo Chini, Duilio Cambellotti, Felice Castrati, Leoncillo) are displayed in rotation in thematic exhibitions in the same manner of the Cooper Herwitt Museum in New York.

The collection, which will be supported by a central national archive of images of the heritage of decorative art, includes artistic glass windows, ceramic pots, wooden boxes and famous chairs; the main attraction is, however, the splendid crib from the time of Umberto I, built in 1901 in massive silver and bronze gilt by Giulio Monteverde as commissioned by the City of Rome which donated it to the monarchs Elena and Vittorio Emanuele III on occasion of the birth of their first child lolanda.

Thanks to donations and to loans from designers such as Galitzine, Gattinoni, the Fontana sisters, Valentino and Lancetti the museum also acts as an archive of haute couture displaying the evolution of costume and tailoral sartorial techniques.

Information and Addresses

Address Via Boncompagni, 18

Visiting Hours Every day from 8-30 am to no pm Closed Monday, Dec. 25, Jan. 1, May 1

Telephone 06 42824074; Fax 06 32298430

Price Free admission

 

 

For Tours information – private guided tours – special entrances, no waiting in line - VIP services

www.tourinrome.com www.vaticanmuseuminformation.com  www.vaticanmuseumticket.com