the École française de Rome unveils 19th century frescoes

ROME – Within its scope 150th anniversary and the ongoing renovation works at Palazzo Farnese, the École française de Rome he discovered and restored some fascinating 19th century wall paintingsor, hidden for decades under wallpaper. An unexpected treasure that further enriches the artistic and historical heritage of the monumental building, home of theFrench Embassy in Italy and the École since 1875.

The inaugural event was introduced by Brigitte MarinDirector of the École, with the participation of Alessandra Acconciart historian official of the Special Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Rome, Simon Sarlinprofessor at the University of Paris-Nanterre, Cristiana de Lisio And Alessia Felicirestorers of Recro Srl.

Palazzo Farnese presentation restoration conference

A dive into the nineteenth century

The paintings, brought to light in the room on the second floor which until recently housed the management office, are the work of the architect Antonio Cipolla and date back to the 1860s. They decorate the walls with bright light blue and trompe-l’œil architectural features, fake red breccia and a coffered ceiling with the weapons of Alessandro Farnese.

The discovery of these paintings is an opportunity to deepen our knowledge of the palace and its history, in particular of the period in which it hosted the exiled court of Francis II, king of the Two Sicilies. Between 1861 and 1863, the architect Cipolla had, in fact, received the task of transforming the building into a royal residence suited to the needs of the sovereign and his family.

The decorations of the room, with their Pompeian motifs, fake marble and panoramic viewsreflect the eclectic taste of the time and offer us a fascinating insight into the daily life of the Bourbon court.

Palazzo Farnese, the frescoes after the restoration

A conservative restoration

The restoration, managed by Recro Srl, was conducted with the utmost attention while respecting the original work. Thanks to an attentive documentation workvarious pictorial layers have been identified, paving the way for new historical, aesthetic and technical research that will allow us to deepen our knowledge of the palace and its use in the 19th century.

A heritage to be valorised

“The full restoration of the pictorial decorations discovered during the restoration work under the wallpaper in the former office of the director of the École has just been completed – he comments Brigitte Marin, Director of the École française de Rome – A new room is thus added to the dozen rooms decorated under the direction of the architect Antonio Cipolla between 1861 and 1863 for the arrival at Palazzo Farnese of the Bourbon court of Naples in exile. In the wake of a long tradition, the École continues its tireless work of setting up, restoring and historical documentation of the spaces occupied on the second floor of Palazzo Farnese since its establishment in 1875”. “These internal decorations, the memory of which had been lost – he concludes the Director ofthe École française de Rome – are now revealed to the public, embellishing the celebration of the centenary of the École française de Rome, which has been placed under the sign of heritage in conjunction with the major restoration works of the facades and roofs of Palazzo Farnese”.