The exhibition

The exhibition Giuseppe Primoli and the charm of the East at the Napoleonic Museum explores Count Giuseppe Primoli‘s interest in Japanese art and, more broadly, in Asian culture. At the center of the exhibition there are 14 kakemono, Japanese scrolls with paintings or calligraphy on silk, cotton or paper, which hang vertically in the corners of the house called tokonoma.
These kakemono, which belonged to Count Primoli, are not only valuable works of art, but also unique historical documents. Primoli invited his guests to write dedications and compositions on the unpainted spaces of the kakemono, transforming them into testimonies of cultural encounters. Among the signatures present we find those of famous French writers such as Emile Zola, Paul Claudel, Paul Valéry, Pierre Loti, Anatole France, Provençal poets, theater authors and even members of European royal families.
The exhibition displays other significant objects from Primoli’s collection, including a fan with Japanese scenes, painted by Giuseppe de Nittis for Mathilde Bonaparte, Napoleon’s niece. Combining works of oriental art and European testimonies, it is a fascinating dialogue between the East and Europe at the end of the 19th century.

Napoleonic museum

The Napoleonic Museum of Rome is a hidden gem in the heart of the city, which tells the story of the Bonaparte family and the connection between Rome and the Napoleonic empire. It houses a collection donated to the city of Rome by Count Giuseppe Primoli, descendant of Luciano Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother. This donation represents a precious treasure of personal objects, portraits, sculptures, furniture and other memorabilia linked to the Bonaparte dynasty.

Do not miss the exhibition Giuseppe Primoli and the Allure of the Orient at Museo Napoleonico in Rome and stay at 47 Boutique Hotel. For more formation visit the official website or ask our staff by writing to [email protected] or by going directly to the reception!