Villa Freya, a historic residence in Asolo, will host its first-ever art exhibition from September 26, 2026, to January 24, 2027, dedicated to Gustav Klimt. Titled “Klimt at Villa Freya: Beauty and Nature in Art Prints,” the show features approximately seventy works from private collections, including rare collotypes, drawings (some publicly displayed for the first time), and issues of *Ver Sacrum*, the magazine of the Vienna Secession. Curated by Elena Ledda, the exhibition explores Klimt’s themes of nature and beauty, displayed in an intimate domestic setting that contrasts with traditional museums. The event also highlights the legacy of Freya Stark, the British traveler and writer who once lived in the villa.
This exhibition matters because it marks a new cultural milestone for Villa Freya, which has undergone major restoration by the Carron family since 2006, opening both its botanical garden and Roman theater ruins to the public. By pairing Klimt’s work with the spirit of Freya Stark, the show aims to attract a wider audience to Asolo and offer an immersive, narrative-driven experience that blends art, architecture, history, and landscape. It also underscores a growing trend of historic private estates hosting curated art exhibitions to diversify cultural tourism.