TO VISIT
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Villa Paloma Вилла Палома
Fernando Botero , recognized as one of the most famous Latin American artists , has also contributed to the Principality ’ s transformation into an open-air museum . His sumptuous Adam and Eve on the waterfront is admittedly one of the most recognizable Monaco sculptures . Another obese beauty by Fernando Botero , “ Woman with a Cigarette ”, is chilling on the grass next to Princess Grace ’ s rose garden .
Among other sculptors whose works you may admire totally free of charge in the streets and squares of the Principality , are Anna Chromy (“ Mantle of Consciousness ”), Giorgio di Chirico (“ Hector and Andromache ” in Saint-Martin ’ s garden ), Jean-Michel Folon (“ The Bird Fountain ”), Armand ( two sculptures in the Oceanographic Museum area and two more in Fontvieille Parc ), George Segal (“ The Man on the Bench ”), Stefaan Depuydt (“ Cornelia ” and the Princess Grace sculpture in Larvotto ), Emma de Sigaldi (“ Evolution ”), Lynn Russell Chadwick (“ Seated Couple ”), Igor Mitoraj (“ Armor ”) and César (“ Fist ” in the UNESCO Parc ).
THE NEW NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MONACO ( NMNM )
Prince Honoré II in the early 1600s had the Grimaldi “ art gene ” in his veins . He was a Prince of culture and made Monaco a haven for poets , artists and musicians . Monaco ’ s Princely Palace gained a reputation across the civilized world as a centre of great culture and learning . The art collection of Prince Honoré was one of the most respected in Europe . Fast forward almost four hundred years and the tradition continues with the New National Museum of Monaco which is a contemporary art museum rather uniquely situated in two places : Villa Sauber and the Villa Paloma . Villa Sauber is one of the last Belle Epoque villas in Monaco which makes visiting even more special . The building is absolutely stunning and belonged to the Le Blanc family which played a big role in the development of the Société des Bains de Mer and the Casino de Monte Carlo . The second site , Villa Paloma , remains one of the most splendid aristocratic residences in the Principality with a century-old pedigree — not to mention the beautiful view over the town . Its well-kept garden has sculptures and arm chairs that allow you to enjoy the magnificent landscape . It is the important art from both Monaco and the international art scene showcased in both the permanent collections and changing exhibitions that are worth the visit and typically on show for several months .
UNDER THE OPEN AIR
Walking down Monaco streets is like having an excursion in a museum or art gallery . Right in front of Monte-Carlo Opera you will see a Ballerina by Marco Lodola , founder of the New Futurism art move- ment . And the Spaniard Manolo Valdes offers his own vision of Diego Velasquez ’ s “ Queen Mariana ” ( his queen also dwells in the Monte Carlo Opera neighbourhood ). The coloured mosaic on Rainier III Auditorium ’ s rooftop is a creation of Victor Vasarely , the op-art movement ’ s ideologist . It can be well spotted not just from the Monaco embankment , but perhaps from space itself .
Monaco ’ s resident for a number of years , the late Kees Verkade had donated some of his wonderful works to his second homeland . One of them is Francesco Grimaldi ’ s representation , nicknamed the “ Malazia ”. Anyone willing to visit the Princely Palace has surely seen the sculpture with his own eyes . A monument to Prince Rainier III at the ascent to the Palace is another credit to the famous Dutchman . Last but not least , Princess Grace ’ s elegant sculpture in the Fontvieille rose garden is one more of Kees Verkade ’ s creations commissioned by Prince Rainier III himself .
Various photo exhibitions are regularly held in the Principality . Just keep your eyes open !
The statue of Francesco Grimaldi , founder of the Grimaldi ’ s ruling dynasty , by Kees Verkade Статуя основоположника династии Гримальди Франческо по прозвищу « Хитрец » работы Киса Веркаде
These are only some of Monaco ’ s largest museums . The Principality , however , does have a number of other local and private institutions . A small museum of Old Monaco opened by the Committee of Monegasque National Traditions is thus a great tribute to the country ’ s heritage including ceramics , paintings , furniture and clothes . As to the Francis Bacon Art Foundation , it boasts a fascinating collection of paintings , photographs , personal items , letters and documents related to the Monegasque creative period of this most expensive artist of the last century . The Museum of Monaco Princes and their guards , located in the barracks of the princely carabinieri , has many interesting exhibits in store honouring the history of this famous army unit . Yet another jewel , paintings by Rubens , Ribera , Zurbarán and Cantorini are to be admired at Barbara Piasecka Johnson ’ s private collection in the Chapel of the Visitation in Monaco-Ville .
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