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Villa Medici
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The French Academy in Rome - Villa Medici is a French public institution under the authority of the French Ministry of Culture. Founded over 350 years ago, it is a residence for artists, authors and researchers; an art and research center, a lively center with a multi-faceted program (exhibitions, festivals, concerts, symposia); and a heritage site open to visitors.
The most Italian of French institutions and the most French of Roman villas!
From yesteryear…
The French Academy in Rome was founded in 1666 at the behest of Louis XIV, with the aim of sending the young winners of the Prix de Rome – a competition established by Colbert three years earlier – to Rome. Here, artists could hone their skills by studying the masterpieces of Antiquity and the Renaissance. After occupying several Roman palaces, including Palazzo Mancini, the Academy found its permanent home in 1803 at Villa Medici. This splendid Renaissance building on the Pincio hill owes its name to its most famous owner, Cardinal Ferdinando de’ Medici (1549-1609).
In the 1960s, under the leadership of Balthus, appointed director on the initiative of André Malraux, Minister of Culture, the Academy was radically transformed, expanding its artistic and cultural activities
To today
The French Academy in Rome has three complementary missions:
- French and international francophone artists, authors and researchers in residence
- offer the public a multidisciplinary artistic program
- conserve, restore, study and promote its rich heritage of buildings and landscapes
on its 7 hectares of gardens, as well as its collections of over 5,000 works of art
Alongside these activities, the Academy is involved in inclusion and outreach initiatives to ensure that everyone has access to culture.
A history with ancient origins
The History
From the palace of the Roman general Lucullus, later the home of Emperor Honorius, to the Renaissance villa of Cardinal Ferdinando de' Medici, to becoming home to the French Academy in Rome in 1803: take a trip back in time at Villa Medici!
The place
Villa Medici
Situated on the Pincio Hill, Villa Medici offers an unparalleled view of the historic center of Rome on one side, and on the other, extending over 7 hectares of lush gardens. It is a Renaissance masterpiece, the result of centuries of renovations and alterations that make it a truly unique place.
The Institution
The French Academy in Rome
The three main missions of the French Academy in Rome are to host fellows and residents, to offer an extensive and varied cultural program, and to preserve and enhance its heritage.
A Heritage to Preserve
The Collections
Villa Medici's collections include thousands of objects dating from the 17th century to present day, testimonials to the villa's history and its many different functions: from the prestigious residence of Cardinal Ferdinando de' Medici to the home of the French Academy in Rome.
