The magnificent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat is one of the properties of the Académie des Beaux-Arts – Institut de France. This villa is managed on behalf of the Académie by the company Culturespaces; the Académie is represented there through the association “Les Amis de la Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild”.
Created in 1961 under the presidency of Jean Cocteau, the objective of the association is to contribute, within its means of patronage and volunteering, to the maintenance and restoration of the museum’s artworks.
1912 – 2012: Béatrix Ephrussi, the dream assembler
On the occasion of the Centenary of the construction of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, reviving the tradition of the Rothschild balls, the surrealists’ ball, the Proust ball, the association is organizing a charity dinner on the following theme: Versailles Ball, which will take place this Tuesday, July 24, 2012, in the gardens of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild – Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat.
In 2010, the restoration of a Tiepolo ceiling was completed.
Thanks to the donations obtained in 2011, the restoration of the museum’s clocks is in progress. The museum curator will announce the artwork to be restored in 2012 during the evening.
In 2011, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Association, a tribute was paid to its first President: Jean Cocteau.
Under the theme “Like in a black and white film by Jean Cocteau”, thanks to the kind permission of Pierre Bergé, the poet’s universe was recreated with the table from Beauty and the Beast, the centaurs from The Testament of Orpheus, the marquis from The Poet’s Dream. Carole Weisweiller provided a moving testimony by recounting Jean Cocteau’s presence on the French Riviera, especially at the museum’s neighboring villa: Santo Sospir. Masks were specially created by Alice Nicolaï, a costume designer at La Fenice in Venice.
In 2012, to mark the centenary of the construction of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, the theme of an 18th-century Ball allows for the evocation of one of the significant sources of inspiration in the design of this emblematic site of the French Riviera: Pink, a color associated with the Villa, will give the event its colorful theme and guiding thread.
Evening Schedule
Color Theme: Pink
Era Theme: 18th century
7:30 PM Cocktail in the French garden
9:00 PM Dinner “The Pleasures of the Enchanted Isle” in the garden
menu created by Potel et Chabot
Musical promenade from the Sun King to Marie-Antoinette
Raffle – Musical Water Games
