Ignasi within the atelier of the Opera di Roma in entrance of his set design for the brand new staging of La Bayadère
Lucy Laucht
Teatro dell’Opera di Roma
Lucy LauchtAfter 5 years of residing in London, I used to be prepared for a change: I used to be craving for the Mediterranean life-style however not fairly able to return to my native metropolis of Barcelona, so Rome appeared like probably the most theatrical selection.
It was not till I relocated in 2018 that I began to work with oil paints and got here up with my first work for exhibitions. That is the place I obtained the inspiration for my Plats Bruts, a collection of trompe-l’oeil nonetheless lifes of completed plates of meals at eating places within the metropolis, a few of that are included in my record of favourites under.
One in all my present initiatives is the set design for the brand new staging of the ballet La Bayadère, which opens on the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma on February 25. That is the second time I’ve labored with the Opera and with French choreographer Benjamin Pech, the primary being Swan Lake at Circo Massimo in 2021. La Bayadère runs till March 2 (operaroma.it).
The place to eat and drink
Caffè Perù is a perfect place for a relaxed aperitivo
Lucy Laucht
Trattoria al Moro
Lucy LauchtFor an aperitivo, you could find a various mixture of locals of all ages at restaurant and cocktail bar Camponeschi on Thursdays, congregating in Piazza Farnese, some of the picturesque squares. Caffè Perù, the youthful, extra relaxed different to Camponeschi, is only some streets away. For lunch, I like to recommend Rocco Ristorante, a up to date tackle a basic osteria with a modest however rigorously crafted menu, which adjustments with the seasons and the provision of contemporary native elements. Pasticceria Regoli is a neighborhood establishment and its desserts are scrumptious.
La Matriciana’s paccheri e gamberi, which Ignasi painted final yr; the unique is displayed within the restaurant
Lucy Laucht
Lucy LauchtMy favorite restaurant is Ristorante La Matriciana dal 1870 on Through del Viminale near Termini station and I’ve painted three items primarily based on my recurring visits, together with my 2022 work Paccheri e Gamberi. The spaghetti carbonara at Trattoria al Moro is broadly thought of to be the most effective on the town and I’ve painted plates of this, too. When in Rome, you will need to additionally attempt puntarelle alla Romana, a easy dish of chicory that’s virtually unimaginable to seek out anyplace else.
What to see and do
The Pantheon
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Firstly, pay your respects to the Pantheon, because it is without doubt one of the pinnacles of human achievement. A number of the most lovely examples of structure and sculpture will be seen on the Borromini hall at Palazzo Scala – a Baroque masterpiece – and Chiesa di San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, one other of Francesco Borromini’s designs. However there are such a lot of: La Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola, in Campo Marzio close to the Pantheon; Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa resting within the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria; and Blessed Ludovica Albertoni within the church of San Francesco a Ripa in Trastevere. Close by, in the identical neighbourhood, is the Tempietto chapel, constructed within the early 1500s to designs by Donato Bramante.
Sculpture on the Hendrik Christian Andersen Museum
Lucy Laucht
Borromini’s hall is a masterpiece of pressured perspective
Lucy LauchtI’d additionally advocate the Centrale Montemartini and the Hendrik Christian Andersen Museum. They’re usually fairly empty and so they home fascinating collections. The juxtaposition of historic Roman sculpture and trendy equipment at Centrale Montemartini, a former energy plant that’s an extension of the Capitoline Museums, is certainly value a go to. The Hendrik Christian Andersen Museum showcases lots of of the artist’s sculptures and work centred spherical his utopian imaginative and prescient of a World Metropolis.
Off the vacationer monitor
The pool at Foro Italico
Lucy LauchtAmong the many most missed locations to admire in Rome are: the tomb of Eurysaces the Baker, top-of-the-line remaining examples of a freedman funerary monument; the Foro Italico sports activities advanced (particularly the swimming pool) constructed beneath Benito Mussolini; and the Seventeenth-century Porta Magica. There may be not a complete lot to do within the Quartiere Coppedè, however I discover myself drawn right here due to the virtually surreal structure by its namesake architect Gino Coppedè, who devised his personal rendition of the Artwork Nouveau model. It’s within the north of the town and positively value visiting to see the Piazza Mincio with its Fountain of the Frogs. The hill of Il Gianicolo is a superb place to have a stroll and absorb views over the town. It is usually value spending a while exploring one among Rome’s most lovely homes – Villa Farnesina and its gardens on the river. And once I really feel I would like to flee, I head to Villa Doria Pamphilj, the Through Appia Antica or the Park of the Aqueducts –it’s like being within the nation with out actually leaving the town.
The place to buy
Martin Alain Georges exterior his store
Lucy Laucht
Gammarelli’s covetable silk socks
Lucy LauchtThe Porta Portese flea market in Trastevere is a must-visit on Sunday mornings. Libreria Mezzoni Antichità, close to the Vatican on Through Ruggero Fiore, sells attention-grabbing books and artefacts, whereas Martin Alain Georges and Ferretti e Guerrini Antichita within the historic centre are two favourites for vintage furnishings and objects – the latter particularly for lighting. Decorarte Flli Pinci sells lovely copper ornaments and ornamental {hardware}. Schostal is my go-to for pyjamas (although they’ve much more males’s clothes). You should purchase a pair of Vatican socks from Gammarelli (it’s the Pope’s official tailor). And you should definitely look out for the notorious Calendario Romano – extra generally referred to as the ‘Scorching Priest’ calendar.
The place to remain
The view from Villa Medici
Lucy LauchtThe elegant Sixteenth-century Villa Medici, regardless of its location subsequent to the Spanish Steps, is a relaxed retreat with a handful of rooms accessible to remain in, adorned with beautiful authentic Renaissance frescoes. Rooms begin at €250 an evening. To e-book, e-mail normal@villamedici.it.
Lucy Laucht
Villa Medici’s spectacular historic rooms
Lucy LauchtVilla Medici additionally homes The French Academy in Rome, which places on a collection of attention-grabbing exhibitions all year long. For five-star comforts, Six Senses’ first Italian resort – ideally positioned in historic Rome, near the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain – is scheduled to open this spring with rooms from £700 an evening.
