Behind the Lens of a Forgotten Italian Villa
This beautiful villa, built in the 17th century for a local priest, later became the home of a renowned architect and geologist. I was very kindly granted access by a family member who had inherited the property — a rare and welcome break from the usual adrenaline of trespass.
After a quick pit stop for a focaccia and cheese from the local supermarket (that cheese nearly convinced me to stay picnicking instead of exploring 😉), I headed inside the vast villa. The huge green doors, complete with a solid brass hand knocker, hinted at the elegance waiting within. Passing through a doorway once used by horses and carts, I caught my first glimpse of the gardens — overgrown wisteria spilling everywhere and from that moment the experience felt magical.
Inside, the villa held an extraordinary mix of dusty objects left behind: architectural books and plans, vases, stones and crystals (a nod to its former geologist owner), vintage furniture, and rooms heavy with history. I even discovered a tiny envelope labelled “cocaine” from the local pharmacy, over 100 years old.
What captivated me most was the atrium: tall, frescoed vaulted ceilings, a chandelier now entwined with wisteria threatening to pull it down, antique chairs, a bust (possibly of the former owner), and light spilling through thickly-covered arched windows. On one side, a small, quiet chapel was tucked away, almost invisible at first, while the corridor on the other side led deeper into the main house. It was here that I produced my work Villa Cristallo, capturing the chandelier entwined with wisteria and the beautiful light filtering through creeping greenery.
From the outside, the villa sits beside a large church, making it a striking landmark. Inside, decay mingles with elegance: crumbling interiors and remnants like frescoed walls and vintage furniture hint at the grandeur it once held. Even as time and nature slowly take their toll, you can still imagine how impressive it must have been in its prime.
Villa Cristallo. Small Size, Edition of 15 + 2 artist proofs. Unframed from £1,050
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