An exhibition in the Imperial Apartments of the Royal Palace at Museo Correr in Venice is a fitting setting for the art work of Princess Ira von Fürstenberg. Unique Objects brings together over 80 of the princess’s art objects, including a number of previously unseen works. There have been exhibitions of her precious art objects in Paris, Milan, Hong Kong and Salzburg but this is the first show in Italy. Virginia Carolina Theresa Pancrazia Galdina Prinzessin zu Fürstenberg is the daughter of Austrian Prince Tassilo von Fürstenberg and Clara Agnelli, the granddaughter of Gianni, the Italian manufacturer and founder of Fiat. Before reinventing herself as an artist, the princess has had many careers, from actress and model to head of perfume at Valentino to antique dealer. So it’s no surprise that a black-and-white portrait of Princess Ira von Fürstenberg by photographer Francis Goodman is part of the collection of London’s National Portrait Gallery.
Long before her entry into the artworld, Ira von Fürstenberg had a career as a model and film actress. Her film appearances included the 1968 spy comedy Matchless, co-starring Patrick O’Neal, Dead Run, co-starring Peter Lawford, The Vatican Affair (1968), The Fifth Cord (1971) and The Barons (1975). At the same time, she was also modelling for fashion magazines like Vogue working with top fashion photographers at the time like Gianni Penati, Henry Clarke and Irving Penn.
Acting and modelling led to work with cosmetics company Germaine Monteil, then as head of the perfume division at Valentino. Her brother, Prince Egon, was the first husband of fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg. Also in the mid-1990s, the princess headed up PR for Tzigany, a shop owned by Antoine Chenevière on Dover Street in London’s Mayfair, selling Russian antiques.
For over twenty years, Ira von Fürstenberg has designed artworks using semi-precious stones, rock crystal, bronze and porphyry, inspired by her worldwide travels. Some of the exquisite pieces are made using found objects enhanced by the princess’s decoration. Two sumptuous rooms in Venice’s grand Museo Correr that have never been used for exhibitions until now, have been devoted to the exhibition. The exhibition has been adeptly curated by acclaimed Opera Director and set designer Pier Luigi Pizzi. The decor and furnishing of the two rooms look as if they were made for the princess’s precious objects. The mirrors, chandeliers, furniture and floors provide a perfect backdrop for the works.
The first gallery is dominated with objects made from one of the princess’s favorite materials, porphyr, a dark purple stone from Egypt that was often used in Neo-Classicist sculpture as a symbol of imperial power. The second room features works made in white or lighter colored materials, including a lovely rose quartz vase taking pride of place at the top of the display. The pieces include vases, crosses, bowls, animals and while none are on display in Venice, the princess has created heavy chandeliers made of quartz, one of which is owned by Bernard Picasso (grandson of Pablo). Dragons, skulls, snakes, mice and elephants are crafted in semi-precious materials and then are often adorned with gilded bronze and semi-precious jewels.
While the 80 works on display in Venice are from the princess’s own collection, she has sold around 3,000 pieces in the past with prices of the works ranging from 5,000 euros for the small ones to 50,000 for the largest pieces.
Ira von Fürstenberg’s latest exhibition might be in Italy but she clearly has a fondness for the UK. I was intrigued to learn of her fascination with tartan-covered objects which she wrote a book about. These objects, ranging from snuff boxes, sewing implements and board games, are from the tartan craze which swept Victorian England. The majority were produced in the early to mid-19th century by Scottish master craftsmen. Many of the pieces described in the book come from the princess’s own collection. The princess’s future plans include opening a shop in London to sell her own unique art objects and further her aim to have her art work better known and admired.
Ira Von Fürstenberg, Objets Uniques is at Museo Correr, Venice until 24 June 2018.
