A fascinating arts residence in the heart of Quartiere Nomentano
Philanthropist Eduard Arnhold purchased Villa Massimo in 1910 and commissioned a creative haven for artists comprised of a central villa with several ateliers nestled among cypress trees, Roman vases, sarcophagi and classical statues.
The Academy’s founder: between arts and social commitment
Not only was Arnhold one of the most successful entrepreneurs under the Republic of Weimar but, also a social benefactor and major art collector. Although Arnhold himself never received a formal education, his commitment to youth empowerment through learning was extraordinary. One of his most visionary projects – at least for his epoch – was the construction of a girls’ orphanage, “ge, “Johannaheim”, which included a school.
Italy as an inspirational oasis
Arnhold was fascinated by the Italian sense of aesthetics and set up his artistic home in Villa Bellagio in Fiesole (Florence) before deciding to build an official residence in Rome.
Even before finalizing the construction works, Arnhold donated the Villa to the Prussian Government: he hoped to create a place for writers, musicians, architects, and visual artists to study and work. For himself, he reserved the right to occasionally reside in the mansion and to participate in the selection and awarding of three scholars. Unfortunately, he would never be able to appreciate the villa’s treasures because the institute would be returned to the German State only in 1929, four years after his death.
Today, the German Academy Rome Villa Massimo awards the prestigious Rome Prize to selected artists, offering them a residency in Rome and access to the city’s major cultural institutions. Alongside its residency program, the Academy hosts exhibitions, concerts, readings and public events throughout the year, including the Festa dell’Estate in June and the final presentation of fellows in November.
Villa Serpentaria
The German Academy Rome Villa Massimo is also historically connected to Villa Serpentara in Olevano Romano, a place long associated with German artists and intellectuals. Surrounded by the landscapes of the Roman countryside, the villa remains part of this broader cultural network and is managed by the German Academy Rome Villa Massimo, which hosts artists sent by the Akademie der Künste, Berlin.
ACCADEMIA TEDESCA ROMA VILLA MASSIMO
Largo di Villa Massimo, 1-2
