Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como

Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como, 24 x 36 in., oil on canvas

by Gulay Berryman

Located on the Dosso d’Avedo peninsula on the Southwestern shores of Lake Como, the Villa del Balbianello was originally a Franciscan monastery.   It was purchased in 1785 by Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini who upon his death, passed it on to his nephew Luigi Porro Lambertenghi.  In the 19th century, it was purchased by the grandfather of film director Luchino Visconti who used it to entertain many leading writers, politicians, artists and musicians.   American businessman Butler Ames purchased it after World War One and oversaw a major renovation.  The last private owner was Count Guido Morzino who added significantly to its interior décor and furnishings until he passed away in 1988, bequeathing the villa to the National Trust of Italy which has since overseen a major restoration and tended to its maintenance so that it may be kept open for visits by the public.   Villa del Balbianello has figured prominently in the location shooting of a number of films, most notably ‘A Month by the Lake (1995) and ‘Casino Royale’ (2006).  Famous neighbors who own their own regal mansions include American actor George Clooney and Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani.  The palatial Villa d’Este luxury hotel is only a bit further South along the same shore near the town of Cernobbio and the picturesque town of Bellagio is almost diagonally across Lake Como on the opposite Eastern shore.   Lake Como is justifiably often ranked as one of the ten most beautiful locations anywhere in the world by major travel and tourism bureaus or magazines.    

This painting has been executed on a convex-edged canvas mounted on a custom-made wood backboard frame that is painted black.   Overall dimensions are 34 x 46 in.