Getting an education while in Rome....
Originally a part of the gardens of Lucullus the original villa was where Messalina was murdered......the Medici Villa built by Ferdinando I de Medici is next to the Borghese gardens. In 1803 Napoleon decided it was a nice location for the French Academy in Rome.
The garden facade is a mannerist's dream come true
Just up the street from the Spanish Steps, the French Academy in Rome is easy to miss as the Villa is large but nondescript from the street
Spectacular views from the back terraces
They've made a sweet little bar in two of the rooms off the loggia
The artist Balthus is responsible for the decoration and lighting.
Two views from one of the terraces
The loggia to the garden
Walking into the garden
Looking at the fountain
The corridors look very similar to Nero's tunnel, less the stucco decoration
A winding stair to the galleries
Louis XIV the founder. Remember that it was Catherine de Medici who brought the renaissance to France and Louis wanted to make sure that he had the best trained artists in the world.....so he sent them to Rome to study the ancients.
Below is the link should you wish to apply to the French Academy.
Going to take a few days off, so will return with some more of Italy and Rome when I get back. Stay cool.
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