Imago Artis: Rome's Elite Concierge Service for Art and Culture
Fulvio De Bonis, co-founder of Imago Artis, provides bespoke cultural access to Rome's hidden treasures for high-net-worth clients. The company, run with his wife Alessia Tortora and Chiara Di Muoio, offers exclusive experiences such as private museum visits, after-hours access to the Colosseum, and entry to privately owned palazzi. Clients include Angelina Jolie, Martin Scorsese, Mike Tyson, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Imago Artis was incubated at the St. Regis in 2006 and now employs 50 staff. The article details a tour of the Vatican Gardens, the Casina of Pius IV, and a private viewing of Caravaggio's Madonna dei pellegrini at Sant'Agostino. Conservators Valeria Merlini and Daniela Storti restored the painting, discovering Caravaggio's use of linseed oil to mute the blue of Mary's gown. The article also explores the history of Rome's tourism, the Marble Plan, and the role of the cicerone. Imago Artis charges from a few hundred euros to 15,000 euros for exclusive experiences.
Key facts
- Imago Artis was founded by Fulvio De Bonis, Alessia Tortora, and Chiara Di Muoio.
- The company offers luxury cultural access in Rome, including private museum visits and after-hours tours.
- Clients include Angelina Jolie, Martin Scorsese, Mike Tyson, Katy Perry, Aaron Judge, Jimmy Fallon, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Viola Davis.
- Imago Artis was incubated at the St. Regis in 2006.
- The company employs 50 professional staff and uses a fleet of 20 tinted-glass sedans and SUVs.
- Fulvio De Bonis studied art history at La Sapienza, Rome's oldest university.
- The article features a private viewing of Caravaggio's Madonna dei pellegrini at Sant'Agostino.
- Conservators Valeria Merlini and Daniela Storti restored the painting and discovered Caravaggio's use of linseed oil to reduce brightness.
- The Vatican Gardens and Casina of Pius IV were accessed through Imago Artis.
- The Marble Plan of Rome, an ancient engraved map, is discussed in the context of historical tourism.
Entities
Artists
- Fulvio De Bonis
- Alessia Tortora
- Chiara Di Muoio
- Angelina Jolie
- Martin Scorsese
- Mike Tyson
- Katy Perry
- Aaron Judge
- Jimmy Fallon
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Viola Davis
- Sidival Fila
- Jago
- Federico Zuccari
- Pietro Paolo Bonzi
- Caravaggio
- Valeria Merlini
- Daniela Storti
- Monsignor Sandro Corradini
- Alessandro Zuccari
- Michelangelo
- Raphael
- Vasari
- Virgil
- Tenzing Norgay
- Lupin
- Martha Stewart
- Christopher Hitchens
- Mother Teresa
- Montaigne
- Lucian
- Peter Jackson
- Tom Hanks
- Emily Cooper
Institutions
- Imago Artis
- St. Regis
- La Sapienza
- Vatican Museums
- Castel Sant'Angelo
- Hotel Eden
- Jago Museum
- Palazzo Barberini
- Palazzo Berardi
- Merlini-Storti Art Conservation Studio
- Church of Sant'Agostino
- Sant'Eligio dei Ferrari
- Congregation for the Causes of Saints
- Pontifical Academy of Sciences
- Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian
- Oratorio del Gonfalone
- Church of San Bonaventura
- Villa Borghese
- Villa Aurora
- The Atlantic
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Colosseum
- Forum
- Palatine Hill
- Capitoline Hill
- Vatican Gardens
- Casina of Pius IV
- Sant'Agostino
- Piazza Navona
- Trastevere
- Alban Hills
- Naples
- Milan
- London
- Ephesus
- Alexandria
- Piedmont
- Via Giulia
- Via Sacra
- Temple of Antoninus and Faustina