Klimt Collotypes Debut at Villa Freya in Asolo, Including Portrait Sold for $236.4 Million
Villa Freya, located in Asolo, Italy, has unveiled its inaugural art exhibition showcasing historical collotypes by Gustav Klimt, which will be on view until January 24, 2027. The villa, previously inhabited by explorer Freya Stark, has been in the possession of the Carron family since 2006, who have restored it and opened the grounds, which include remnants of a Roman theater. Curator Elena Ledda highlights the interaction between Stark, Klimt, and the audience, utilizing the colors and angles of the rooms to enrich the experience. The exhibition features three rare original drawings and works from Teodoro Wolf Ferrari, Vittorio Zecchin, and Carlo Scarpa. Collector Fiorenzo Silvestri recounts his transition from museum visits to art collecting, alongside dresses inspired by Klimt's companion, Emilie Flöge.
Fatti principali
- Exhibition 'Klimt a Villa Freya. Bellezza e natura nelle grafiche d'arte' runs until January 24, 2027, at Villa Freya in Asolo (TV), open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
- The show features historical collotypes by Gustav Klimt, including the portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, the same canvas sold by Sotheby's in November 2025 for $236.4 million, the highest price ever paid at public auction for a modern artwork.
- Two Klimt paintings, Igea and Le amiche, are shown only as collotypes because the originals were destroyed in a 1945 fire at Immendorf Castle.
- Villa Freya belonged to Freya Stark, who received it from photographer Herbert Young; it has been owned by the Carron family since 2006, who restored it and opened its park containing Roman theater remains.
- The project was conceived two years ago by Monica Masin and Diego Carron; curator Elena Ledda organized the display around the concept of dialogue.
- Three original Klimt drawings are included, alongside works by Teodoro Wolf Ferrari, Vittorio Zecchin, and Carlo Scarpa.
- Most exhibited works come from collector Fiorenzo Silvestri, who focused on Klimt's graphic work starting with Ver Sacrum, the 1898 Secession magazine.
- ITS Cosmo Fashion Academy of Padova created two dresses inspired by Emilie Flöge, based on a hypothetical lost notebook and an AI-generated video, displayed in the villa's bow window.
Entità
Artisti
- Gustav Klimt
- Freya Stark
- Herbert Young
- Monica Masin
- Diego Carron
- Elena Ledda
- Teodoro Wolf Ferrari
- Vittorio Zecchin
- Carlo Scarpa
- Fiorenzo Silvestri
- Emilie Flöge
- Elisabeth Lederer
- Beatrice Bonsembiante
- Giosuè Carducci
Istituzioni
- Villa Freya
- Sotheby's
- ITS Cosmo Fashion Academy
- Comune di Asolo
- Castello di Immendorf
Luoghi
- Asolo
- Italy
- Veneto
- Padova
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Munich
- Germany
- Paris
- France
- Immendorf
- Austria
Fonti
- Artslife —