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Stolen: 5 art thefts that shocked the world
Spectacular, daring, meticulously planned or surprisingly simple: art thefts are as numerous as they are varied. Despicable and reprehensible crimes that deprive society of cultural treasures and impoverish history in the pursuit of private gain, they have nevertheless always exerted an undeniable fascination on the general public. Perhaps it is their ingenuity, their adventurous spirit, or the aura of exceptionality that surrounds them. As recent incidents in Paris – where the Louvre was robbed of Crown and Napoleonic jewels – and at the Rocca Magnani near Parma – from which works by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse were stolen – demonstrate, thieves have always found, and continue to find, ingenious and unexpected ways of getting their hands on other people’s treasures. Sometimes investigations are successful and the stolen works are recovered, while in other cases the mystery remains unsolved to this day.
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BeCulture is the platform dedicated to culture, created to accompany and facilitate travellers, art enthusiasts and the curious in visiting cities, museums and cultural institutions. Through in-depth information and thematic routes, you can create a customised visit built around your interests. A unique and secure purchase that includes tickets, publishing and official and certified merchandise. AVOID THE
Rückenfiguren: when art turns its back on us
It is always the face that we look towards, in life as in art, when we question a subject’s identity and attempt to interpret their emotions and thoughts. But what happens when this window is denied to us? What if the person shows us their back? What cannot be seen attracts our attention, and its symbolic and poetic value captivates us. From the Roman age to contemporary art, let us explore together some of the most iconic figures seen from behind and allow ourselves to be seduced by this unusual perspective.
Rocca Meli Lupi di Soragna, where wealth and mystery intertwine
Not all castles have remained under the administration of the same family throughout the centuries.
Not all castles preserve the unchanged charm of past eras. Not all castles are inhabited by a ghost who, when displeased, makes its feelings known to the living. Not all of them – but the Rocca Meli Lupi di Soragna, in the province of Parma, certainly does. This ancient medieval castle transformed into a princely residence is home to Diofebo VI Meli Lupi, noble descendant of the historic family line, and still safeguards treasures and mysteries waiting to be discovered, including a spectral presence…
Eleonora di Toledo: the female face of patronage and Florentine Renaissance fashion
Independent, dynamic and capable, Eleonora di Toledo (1522–1562) was one of the most important and influential female figures of the Renaissance. Daughter of the powerful Viceroy of Naples, Don Pedro Alvarez de Toledo, she married Cosimo I de’ Medici (1519–1574) at a very young age.
A deep love and strong bond developed between them, reflected also in the management of the Florentine court. Thanks in part to her influence, the Medici succeeded in strengthening their power across Tuscany and consolidating the Duchy after the turbulent republican period that had forced them to flee the city.
Portraits and documents from the period portray a confident and enterprising woman, capable of shaping ambitious projects and far-reaching visions, the results of which can still be admired today, such as the magnificent Giardino di Boboli.
Turin revealed: 5 museums that tell the story of Italy’s first capital
Turin never fails to surprise first-time visitors. Perhaps it is its elegant, austere atmosphere, or the rich historical and artistic layering that defines it. A Savoy capital—and the first capital of Italy—a city of industry and culture, each district preserves traces of this complex and evocative identity. If you have a few days to spare, we recommend visiting five places which, more than any others, tell the story of the city’s illustrious past and its vibrant present.
The Sublime Art of being together: famous couples in art and life
It is said that Raphael was a skilled seducer and that Bernini once tried to kill his brother in a fit of jealousy after discovering his relationship with his lover, Costanza Bonarelli. It seems that Manet and Degas were in love with the same woman, which may have contributed to the tension between them. The lively romantic life of Pablo Picasso is well known.
Love has always been an essential part of artists’ lives and work. But what happens when romantic partnership intertwines with professional collaboration? Sometimes masterpieces are born, sometimes sparks fly. Let us explore the stories of five famous couples in 20th-century art.
Stolen: 5 art thefts that shocked the world
Spectacular, daring, meticulously planned or surprisingly simple: art thefts are as numerous as they are varied. Despicable and reprehensible crimes that deprive society of cultural treasures and impoverish history in the pursuit of private gain, they have nevertheless always exerted an undeniable fascination on the general public. Perhaps it is their ingenuity, their adventurous spirit, or the aura of exceptionality that surrounds them. As recent incidents in Paris – where the Louvre was robbed of Crown and Napoleonic jewels – and at the Rocca Magnani near Parma – from which works by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse were stolen – demonstrate, thieves have always found, and continue to find, ingenious and unexpected ways of getting their hands on other people’s treasures. Sometimes investigations are successful and the stolen works are recovered, while in other cases the mystery remains unsolved to this day.
Rückenfiguren: when art turns its back on us
It is always the face that we look towards, in life as in art, when we question a subject’s identity and attempt to interpret their emotions and thoughts. But what happens when this window is denied to us? What if the person shows us their back? What cannot be seen attracts our attention, and its symbolic and poetic value captivates us. From the Roman age to contemporary art, let us explore together some of the most iconic figures seen from behind and allow ourselves to be seduced by this unusual perspective.
Rocca Meli Lupi di Soragna, where wealth and mystery intertwine
Not all castles have remained under the administration of the same family throughout the centuries.
Not all castles preserve the unchanged charm of past eras. Not all castles are inhabited by a ghost who, when displeased, makes its feelings known to the living. Not all of them – but the Rocca Meli Lupi di Soragna, in the province of Parma, certainly does. This ancient medieval castle transformed into a princely residence is home to Diofebo VI Meli Lupi, noble descendant of the historic family line, and still safeguards treasures and mysteries waiting to be discovered, including a spectral presence…
Eleonora di Toledo: the female face of patronage and Florentine Renaissance fashion
Independent, dynamic and capable, Eleonora di Toledo (1522–1562) was one of the most important and influential female figures of the Renaissance. Daughter of the powerful Viceroy of Naples, Don Pedro Alvarez de Toledo, she married Cosimo I de’ Medici (1519–1574) at a very young age.
A deep love and strong bond developed between them, reflected also in the management of the Florentine court. Thanks in part to her influence, the Medici succeeded in strengthening their power across Tuscany and consolidating the Duchy after the turbulent republican period that had forced them to flee the city.
Portraits and documents from the period portray a confident and enterprising woman, capable of shaping ambitious projects and far-reaching visions, the results of which can still be admired today, such as the magnificent Giardino di Boboli.
Turin revealed: 5 museums that tell the story of Italy’s first capital
Turin never fails to surprise first-time visitors. Perhaps it is its elegant, austere atmosphere, or the rich historical and artistic layering that defines it. A Savoy capital—and the first capital of Italy—a city of industry and culture, each district preserves traces of this complex and evocative identity. If you have a few days to spare, we recommend visiting five places which, more than any others, tell the story of the city’s illustrious past and its vibrant present.
The Sublime Art of being together: famous couples in art and life
It is said that Raphael was a skilled seducer and that Bernini once tried to kill his brother in a fit of jealousy after discovering his relationship with his lover, Costanza Bonarelli. It seems that Manet and Degas were in love with the same woman, which may have contributed to the tension between them. The lively romantic life of Pablo Picasso is well known.
Love has always been an essential part of artists’ lives and work. But what happens when romantic partnership intertwines with professional collaboration? Sometimes masterpieces are born, sometimes sparks fly. Let us explore the stories of five famous couples in 20th-century art.
