Villa Balbiano: Italian Opulence on Lake Como

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

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.

Reviews

"Heres another coffee table book that will satisfy your wanderlust, and maybe even trigger you to buy a plane ticket.Villa Balbianois a 16th century architectural masterpiece located in Ossuccio on Lake Como. The historic Italian villa hosts world-class paintings, such as 17th century frescoes by the Recchi Brothers as well as Agostino Silva. Antique furnishings keep the original feel present in the interiors, though the property was recently renovated by French Designer Jacques Garcia." Italian Bark

Author Bio

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 Chteau de Villette: The Restoration of a French Masterpiece (2018), Chaumet: Parisian Jeweler since 1780 (2017), A Day at Chteau de Vaux-le-Vicomte (2015), Vacheron Constantin: Artists of Time(2015), and One Saville Row, Gieves & Hawkes: The Invention of the English Gentleman (2014).