Palazzo Farnese

Rome, Italy - Now through April 27, 2011, the Palazzo Farnese will be open to the public for an exceptional exhibit entitled, “Palazzo Farnese – From the Renaissance to the French Embassy.”

Annibale Carracci Gallery

A collection of over 150 pieces (drawings, sculptures, paintings, objets d’art) will bring to life five centuries of Palace history - from the Farnese family fasts in the 16^th century, to the last 35 years when the Palace served as the French Embassy in Italy and the École Française de Rome. An incredible selection of works from the Farnese family collection has been reunited and returned to the site for the first time in centuries thanks to the generosity and passion of the Farnese family.

Annibale Carracci Gallery

The brainchild of Jean-Marc de La Sabliere, French Ambassador to Italy, this exhibit was produced in collaboration with the Minister of Italian Culture of Italy, and curated by Francesco Buranelli and Roberto Cecchi.

Interior Court of Palazzo Farnese

During the exhibit, the 16^th century Palace will open its doors, by appointment only, and welcome the return of the “Museum Farnesianum” where the exquisite “Emporer” and “Philosopher” rooms have been recreated with much fanfare. In addition, thanks to new technology, the court will be virtually repopulated with imposing silhouettes of the Farnese Atlas, the latin Hercules and the Farnese Bull.

Farnese Bull

Generous loans from the National Archeological Museum in Naples have facilitated the reunion of these works. Among the most important pieces of antique furniture is the Farnese cabinet from the Ecouen Museum, a precious piece designed to display the coin and cameo collections of the Farnese family. Tapestries from Quirinal, on loan from the Italian Presidency as well as the Chambord castle, will retake their places in the salons on the piano nobile, as well as the ceramics of the Renaissance.

Farnese Cabinet

Pope Paul III by Titien

The portrait of Pope Paul III by Titien, the Christ painted by Annibale Carracci for the private chapel of Cardinal Odoardo, works by Sebastiano del Piombo, and Le Greco are all testament to the richness of the painting collection, now displayed in the North-East gallery. The collection of sketches and drawings by Annibale Carracci (mostly on loan from the Louvre) and the frescoes of the Palais Fava de Bologne illustrate the design of the famous Carracci galleries.

Detail of the Carracci Gallery

Relive the intertwined histories of the popes, cardinals, kings, ambassadors, and artists, who, during five centuries lived and worked in the Palazzo Farnese, indirectly making this site exceptional and alive.

French Embassy in Italy
Palais Farnèse
Via Giulia 186
Rome
39 06 32 810

Deborah Page Projects Now at Jean-Marc Fray's at 1stdibs@NYDC

After multiple successful joint projects in the Austin area, Jean-Marc Fray teams up again in the Big Apple with Deborah Page Projects in 1stdibs' latest venture: 1stdibs@NYDC.



Jean-Marc Fray French Antiques is one of more than 50 dealers selected by 1stDibs founder Michael Bruno to show the most vibrant and significant collection of antiques, mid-modern furnishings and art available in New York City.  This vibrant, new marketplace, which occupies the entire 10th floor of the New York Design Center at 200 Lexington Avenue, is now open to the public, Mon-Sat.

Jean-Marc Fray's showroom at 1stdibs@NYDC currently features the works of Deborah Page Projects artist Marlene Louchheim, a talented sculptress who shares her time between studios in Los Angeles and Hawaii. This stunning collection of bronze sculptures made of burlap, bronze, aluminum and copper is a visual exploration of the subtleties and intricacies of human emotion.

"Fragments #2" by Marlene Louchheim

"Deborah Page Projects always brings fabulous, bold contemporary works of art that not only hold a clear investment value but combine beautifully with our collection", says Jean-Marc Fray. "Marlene Louchheim's sculptures are exquisite to behold and fit perfectly in the environment we wanted to create in our New York showroom."

"Elevations" by Marlene Louchheim

"Marlene Louchheim has been able to create a broad range of abstract sculptures, expressing both sensuality and a sensitive understanding of formal relationships," says renowned sculptress Deborah Butterfield. "Her sculptures are lovingly crafted and are a reflection of her life and devotion to both her wonderful family and the commitment to her art. She has succeeded on every level."

"Dreams" by Marlene Louchheim

Jean-Marc Fray Expands To New York's “1stDibs@NYDC”

Jean-Marc Fray, Cynthia Fray and Michael Bruno.

News Flash! We’ve just opened our 2nd showroom in New York City! In alliance with 1stDibs and the New York Design Center (NYDC), we are now part of the fabulous new “1stdibs@NYDC” - a 33,000 sq ft. antiques market envisioned and created by 1stdibs.com founder, Michael Bruno.

Our newest address... 200 Lexington Avenue.

1stdibs has taken over the entire 10th floor of the NYDC building at 200 Lexington Ave. in New York, offering the space to a select few of its member dealers. We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting new venture, and can’t wait to show off our latest finds to interior designers and collectors in and around New York.

Jean-Marc Fray Gallery at 1stdibs@NYDC

On Feb. 16th, Michael Bruno, Founder and CEO of 1stdibs.com, Jim Druckman, President of NYDC, and Michael Boodro Editor-in-Chief of Elle Décor magazine, held a private Grand Opening for 1stdibs@NYDC with an overwhelming 2000 guests from all angles of the design industry. Needless to say, the event was a smashing success and we had a blast meeting some of our New York clients, making new friends and just beholding this “visual feast” which promises to become THE destination for designers and consumers sourcing antiques, vintage furnishings and decorative arts in New York.

Jean-Marc is ready for opening night.

Cynthia takes five before guests arrive.

Grand Opening NYDC.

Jean-Noel Fray, Michael Bruno and Nikki Escobar.

The French Modernist Club Chairs are a hit.

Tres chic guests share a moment at opening night.

 
Jean-Noel Fray did a fabulous job putting together our sleek new space which features select pieces of our inventory from France and Murano glass from Italy as well as a stunning collection of works by artist Marlene Louchheim, introduced to us and represented by Deborah Page of Deborah Page
 Projects.

Jean-Noel Fray - Opening Night NYDC.

Deborah Page.

"Elevations" by Marlene Louchheim.

"Fragments #2" by Marlene Louchheim hangs beautifully near Murano glass sconces and Murano vase.

"Dreams" by Marlene Louchheim.

We are thrilled to have this pied-à-terre in the Big Apple and hope to see you there soon!
A bientot!

Jean-Marc Fray French Antiques
1stdibs@NYDC
200 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY  10016

The Metal Lacework of Sculptor Cal Lane

The work of sculptor Cal Lane is truly remarkable. Trained as a welder, the native Canadian uses her skills to cut intricate lace-like patterns into steel and iron.

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Lane grew up in Saanichton, British Columbia. After receiving her certification as a welder, she completed her BFA at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and her MFA from the State University of New York at Purchase.

Lane transforms oil drums, wheelbarrows, shovels and construction I-beams from standard junkyard items to one-of-a-kind works of art. She suggests delicate beauty in these rough and dirty items which serve to intensify the meaning of her work.

In her most recent exhibit, "Sweet Crude," Lane uses oil drums and oil cans as her media to recreate intricate world maps  depicting power struggles, both mythical and realistic.

One of her earlier exhibits, "Car Bomb," explored deeper meaning as well.

"My new work has become more political, the consequence of living in a time of war and feeling the guilt of a bystander," says Lane. "With the first political piece titled 'Filigree Car Bombing' I focused on creating a tasteless relationship of images. Images of flowers and 'prettiness' in the form of a violent and sensitive situation."

Lane's next exhibit will be at the Musée des Manufactures de Dentelles in Retournac, France. Her metal "lace" will be well suited to the antique laces found in the museum.

For more information on Cal Lane, visit her website: http://www.callane.com

Summer Vacation Destinations: Paris

Paris Museum Crawl Part 1: Le Louvre

First stop, the Louvre! With over 35,000 works of art from eight departments displayed in over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space, the Louvre is Paris’ largest museum and one could literally spend weeks in there…

Right now you can catch a fascinating exhibition entitled “The Gates of Heaven. Visions of the World in Ancient Egypt”, running through June 29.

The Egyptian term “gates of heaven” refers to the doors of a sacred shrine holding the statue of god. The Egyptians believed if the doors were opened the divine world would be transported into the human one! They also believed that certain places acted as replicas of these shrines and so were adorned with their own set of doors representing the “gates of heaven”, and thereby offering a transition between physical and mental realities.

The exhibition, containing about 350 artifacts spanning three millennia, from the Old Kingdom to the Roman Period, seeks to place everyday objects in their social, religious and artistic context. It focuses on four of these realities: the ordered Universe, the Beyond, the tomb chapel, and the temple forecourt. A fascinating glimpse at philosophy, which is far removed from rational, Western thinking…

The Universe as Divine Sanctuary

The Celestial Underworld, or Mysterious Beyond

Coming and Going: The Tomb Chapel

At the Gates of Heaven: Temple Forecourt

Another exhibition that will be taking place this summer is called, “Early Altar pieces (12th- early 15th century) - A presentation of Sacred Art”. This exhibition features the evolution of altarpieces from the 12th century on. It focuses on retables and their relationship with altars. Originating around the same time period, the retable, also known as a “reredo”, was hung behind the church altars taking on the form of a screen framing a picture, a carved or sculptured work in wood or stone, or of a mosaic.

13th Century Retable

Of course, a trip to the Louvre would not be complete without seeing some of the permanent works of art that have earned the Louvre its reputation as one of premiere museums of our time:


For example, Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”:


Or Gericault’s “The Raft of the Medusa”:



Here is a Roman marble sculpture of the head of Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius, that was acquired by the Louvre in 2002:



Or you may wander through the collection of Egyptian antiquities…. here is a fragment of a temple wall, depicting an offering scene, portrayed between the signs for earth and sky:


And finally, don’t miss I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid, beautifully and dramatically situated in the museum courtyard… magnifique!