A Masterpiece as a Trophy - The Secret of Apsley House
Location: Apsley House
Address: 149 Piccadilly, London W1J 7NT
His name is tied to the Battle of Waterloo which, in 1815, marked the defeat of Napoleon. But not everybody knows that Lord Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington, was also a refined collector. In his Hyde Park home, long known simply as “Number One, London”, he gathered an extraordinary number of artworks, which, today, are an authentic treasure. Pieter Paul Rubens, Diego Velàsquez, Correggio, Thomas Lawrence are just some of the names on display at the luxurious Apsley House. Around the paintings are also precious sculptures, rare antique furnishings, elaborate pieces of fine metals and stunningly valuable ceramic pieces - many are gifts that Wellington received from European sovereigns for having neutralised such a dangerous common enemy. However, there is one work that is truly emblematic of this special place - the statue of Napoleon as Mars the Peacemaker, sculpted by the great Antonio Canova. Created as a celebrative portrait of the Emperor, it has monumental dimensions and shows Napoleon totally nude, as was the classical tradition. However, the Emperor didn’t care for it. He feared being ridiculed by his own troops and chose to hide it in the basement of the Louvre, draped under a drop-cloth. Yet, after the Battle of Waterloo, the sculpture became a trophy of the victor - the Duke of Wellington.
Judy Chicago rose to fame in the late 1960s for making works from a female-centered perspective, challenging the male-dominated art world landscape. Her work is characterized by a commitment to craftsmanship and experimentation.
This exhibition focuses on a crucial historical period from 500 to 1000 AD around, revealing how the journeys of people, objects and ideas shaped the cultures and histories of the Silk Roads.
A special visit to the East Wing of Buckingham Palace
From 15 July until the end of August 2024 it will be possible to visit the famous East Wing of Buckingham Palace which opens to the public after five years of careful restoration. An unmissable opportunity to discover, behind the scenes, that part of the British Royal Palace in front of whose gates tourists from all over the world gather every day.
An Emperor’s Jewel - The Making of the Bvlgari Hotel Roma
A new movie starring Bvlgari Global Brand Ambassador Priyanka Choora Jonas and produced by Atomic Production and directed by Andrea Rovetta, gives viewers an unprecedented view of Bvlgari Hotel Roma, taking them behind the scenes to discover the craftsmanship and culture that inspired the property.