As British hoteliers with a commitment to preserving and promoting heritage, we’re delighted to announce a new partnership with Sotheby’s. Later this year, the Forte family will be supporting this prestigious auction house in bringing some of Britain’s finest treasures across the Atlantic for the first time.
Treasures from Chatsworth: The Exhibition will be on display from 28th June – 18th September at Sotheby’s recently reimagined New York galleries on York Avenue.
The natural next step for Sotheby’s following their award-winning 2016 film series about Chatsworth House’s Devonshire collection, Treasures from Chatsworth will showcase 43 of the collection’s most exquisite pieces in spaces designed by David Korins, set designer of hit musical Hamilton.
Carefully curated over four centuries by 16 generations, the stately home’s treasures are fabled in the world of art collectors. Each of its thousands of invaluable artworks, furnishings and ornamental objects was considered at the cutting-edge of contemporary art in its own time; a visit to the collection is an artistic journey spanning from the 16th century to the modern day.
The New York exhibition will offer a transportive experience, not only showcasing the highlights of the collection, but also offering a glimpse into the stately seat of the Duke of Devonshire. By harnessing new interactive technology, the exhibit will bring the architecture and surrounding grounds of Chatsworth House to life, allowing visitors to get a feel for the ambience of the stately home in which the collection resides.
Sir Rocco Forte, founder and chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, explains: “Chatsworth, with all its treasures, is one of the greatest stately houses of England. The Cavendish family has always been innovative and original in making it one of the most in demand attractions in the UK. Their attention to detail and pursuit of excellence links very strongly to our approach in running hotels. We are both family businesses with family values.”
Launching with an elegant VIP event on 28th June, the opening will be attended by the Duke of Devonshire, Charles Forte and Sotheby’s preferred members.
Sotheby’s is one of the oldest auction houses in the world, connecting collectors with world-class art since opening in London in 1744. Sir Rocco Forte and Olga Polizzi share Sotheby’s values of conservation and appreciation, evident throughout their European hotel collection. Many properties are located in artistic and cultural hubs such as Rome, Florence, Berlin and St. Petersburg, and offer their guests dedicated art experiences; all Rocco Forte Hotels are furnished with exceptional artworks for guests to admire and enjoy.
What began as a single neoclassical building grew into a collection of five world-class museums, set on an island in the heart of the city. Today, Berlin’s Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s most celebrated cultural destinations, home to masterpieces ranging from the 3,000-year-old Bust of Nefertiti to the Romantic canvases by German icon Caspar David Friedrich.
In the early 20th century, Munich was a hotbed of artistic innovation. Amid shifting social landscapes, a new school emerged from an intense exchange of ideas that would shape the trajectory of modern art: Der Blaue Reiter, or The Blue Rider. This avant-garde collective left an indelible mark on modern art with their radical departure from tradition and bold exploration of colour and spirituality.
Agrigento’s roots run as deep as the gnarled olive trees that dot its landscape, stretching back over 2,500 years to its founding as Akragas, one of the greatest cities of the ancient Greek world. Set against a breathtaking coastline, this once thriving cultural and political hub was praised by the Greek poet Pindar as “the most beautiful city of mortals”. Today, this splendour is immortalised in the Valley of the Temples.
