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

"Revolutions" Opening Night

Meredith Pardue, at right, with guests on opening night.

What a beautiful evening! Thanks to everyone who turned out last Thursday night for Meredith Pardue's opening reception for her show entitled "Revolutions".  A magical soiree indeed - Meredith was ravishing and well received as her art installations danced on the walls of our gallery with beatific aplomb.

Barbara Serota, Cynthia Fray, Jean-Marc Fray, Birgit Schroeder.

Meredith Pardue, center, with guests Mia and Birgit.

“In this aesthetically whimsical body of work titled Revolutions, I use the circle to address the universal issues of time, speed, and change.  As a symbol, a circle or sphere could not be more fully loaded, as it represents some of the most powerful and universal elements that exist.  Aesthetically, the foundation for this work is the rotation of heavenly bodies--specifically the sun, the moon, and the Earth.  In Revolutions I address how the rotations of these heavenly bodies relate to human lives, with specific respect to the passage of time and the changes that occur in between these cycles.

"Bang Bang Universe"

"Big Time Revolution"

"Medals From One Long War (Defense)"

"Medals From One Long War (Honor)"

The obvious visual reference to lunar phases and planetary rotation lays a solid foundation for the fusion of one kind of revolution with another.  As titles such as Medals from One Long War or The Waxing and Waning of My Constitution suggest, an internal, personal, or political revolution also takes place within the constructs of these temporal revolutions of nature, while the titles Mandala I and II suggest the quest or presence of a spiritual revolution.

"Mandala I"

"Mandala II"

I chose to deliver this loaded concept in the form of a colorful palette of mixed media pieces, offering the viewer a playful respite from the gravity of its content.  The clean simple beauty of the natural maple both literally and aesthetically supports the rich impasto of the paint and collage.  It is my hope that the viewer will find both meaning and beauty in the balance of these two contrasting elements, as well as infuse his or her own understanding to the work, and therefore adding the most important dimension to the artwork--life.” —Meredith Pardue.

"Phases of the Great Rotation"

Congratulations Meredith!

See all of Meredith's new works here: http://www.jeanmarcfray.com/paintings/38.