You hear the name Medici and the lights of great patronage and Italian renaissance come on. A powerful family that passed through four centuries: a lineage of politicians, bankers, popes, royalty… and provided extraordinary support to the artists and scientists of their time. In addition to being a promoter of notable works of architecture. Florence and Tuscany are at its epicenter, but its name also resonates in Rome.
The Villa Médici -built in the 16th century and surrounded by a seven-hectare park, on Mount Pincio, in the heart of Rome- now relies on the boldest contemporary design to relaunch its vitality. The architect India Mahdavi, with an office in Paris, has been chosen to breathe new life into the noble floor. She is part of the Re-enchanting Villa Médici project, promoted by the French Academy in Rome, installed in the historic mansion since 1803.
Mahdavi has intervened in the former apartments of Cardinal Fernando de Médici (1549-1609), in a sequence of three rooms: the Chamber of the Elements, that of Jupiter’s Lovers and the Hall of the Muses. To this are added three rooms renamed the Lili Boulanger room, the Debussy room and the Galileo room, great names in the arts and sciences linked to the place.
Thus, under the storied 16th century frescoes created by the Mannerist painter Jacopo Zucchi, India Mahdavi has arranged pieces of contemporary furniture with radical geometry and color to renew the spirit of the place. She has imagined new beds, tables, seats and rugs that act as reference points. By themselves they demand attention. And at the same time they become small observatories from which to enjoy the surrounding historical heritage.
The bed in the Galileo room stands out, who was in the villa as a family protégé on two occasions: 1615-1616 and 1633, after abjuring before the Court of the Inquisition. Mahdavi returns to the quattrocento and the tradition of beds on bases and stepped pedestals. Made of marquetry, the pattern is inspired by the floors of the villa, in an optical game with which the designer wants to introduce vibration and color that emanates light.
The bed in the Debussy room is another milestone. In this case it refers to the geometry of the coffers of the dome of the Pantheon in Rome, with false perspectives and acid colours. They are two undoubtedly striking pieces. Surely it could not be less for these two huge rooms, measuring 70 square meters and 6 meters high, decorated with coffered ceilings, storied Renaissance frescoes and walls patinated by Balthus. The renowned painter moved to Rome in 1964, where he presided over the French Academy. And while he was living in the Villa Médici he undertook mural restoration work.
The headquarters of the French Academy welcomes creators and art scholars in residence and in these rooms India Mahdavi wants to offer guests a memorable experience. The Chamber of the Muses is another unique setting. Mahdavi has emptied it and dressed it only with a large rug of his creation. With it he links from the contemporary with the Persian rugs that evoked the Garden of Eden. And he echoes the roof and the flower beds of the square in front of the villa. The Bishop stools invite you to take a seat and admire the ceiling with the frescoes by Zucchi.
Solar yellow radiates in the Lili Boulanger room, a tribute to the composer who, in 1913, was the first female student to be admitted to the musical composition section. It is the tone of the upholstery that renews the sofas and armchairs of the 1950s, designed by Jean-Albert Lesage (from the Mobilier National collection). They stand out on the embossed carpet and next to the octagonal tables created by Mahdavi. The architect is not afraid of contrasting pieces with a strong presence, colorful and close to op-art, although always in search of balance with the pomp of the past.
The performance in Villa Médici has had the collaboration of master craftsmen marqueters, carvers, cabinetmakers, weavers and restorers of the historic Gobelin tapestries. This vast remodeling and refurnishing project still has a final chapter left. The project Re-enchanting the Villa Médici was launched in 2022 at the initiative of Sam Stourdzé, director of the French Academy in Rome, in order to promote contemporary design, arts and crafts in a spirit of dialogue with the heritage of the palace.
It will end in 2025 with the renovation and furnishing of nine more guest rooms, hand in hand with as many designers and architects. The artists and art historians in residence for one-year stays will have the fortune to premiere them. Initiative that this cultural institution welcomes, in addition to its activity of exhibitions and heritage preservation.
