“Malachite Rooms” of Villa San Donato: The Reconstruction of the Ensembles and the Attribution of the Pieces

Demidoff ’s villa San Donato near Florence, in the middle of 19th century, was one most interesting phenomena European artistic life. The richest collection, acquired by two generations family and opened for choice public at end 1850s, attractive not only curious tourist also specialists history art. This collection gives his influence collecting second half century total liquidation 1860s–1880s destroyed this ensemble. However, thanks to sales catalogues, some detailed descriptions interiors archive’s documents, unique pictures, it becomes possible restore list but try understand taste these collectors. At 1850s rooms Villa amassed important collections from Russian malachite. Those pieces reflected main styles applied artists. One decorated created first third empire taste. interior, remarkable concentration malachite realized known a description completed rococo decoration room sales. study 1858 1864, archive sale catalogues previous research permit reconstruct elements Florentine talk about very special members.