A return to the Pietro Canonica Museum Room at Piazza Marconi 16, in Stresa, Italy took place during the Easter holidays on Wednesday, 3 April 2024. Joining us were various extended Demidoff family members including, for the first time, Count Ignaz and Countess Robinia zu Toerring-Jettenbach. It was an opportunity for Ignaz to view, for the first time, the plaster cast on display by Canonica of his grandmother, Princess Elizabeth of Greece and Denmark (1904-1955). As mentioned, in the prior NewsLetter, finding this plaster cast, during the author's first visit to the Canonica Room, initiated a worldwide search on the current whereabouts of the original marble busts of Princesses Elizabeth and of her elder sister, Olga. The original busts were made by Canonica in 1910 while on his visit to Russia and displayed at the Vladimir Palace in St. Petersburg. It is hoped, of course, that the originals exist to this day and proudly feature on display in a prestigious public or private museum.
The sisters were two of the three daughters of Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark (1872-1938) and Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia (1882-1957). The eldest, Princess Olga, married Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, so the Demidoff connection, given that Paul's mother was Aurore Pavlovna Demidoff, Princess of San Donato (1873-1904), while his father was Prince Arsene Karageorgevitch (1859-1935). Princess Elizabeth in 1934 married Carl Theodor, Count of Toerring-Jettenbach (1900-1967), while Princess Marina in 1934 married Prince George (later the Duke of Kent) at Westminster Abbey, London.
Further joining our group were extended Demidoff family members Count Luigi di Noghera and his wife, Countess Sonia, and Prince Roberto Troubetzkoy and his wife, Princess Giovanna. We also were delighted to be joined by our friend from Lugano, Serafina, and family.
Our host at the Canonica Museum Room once again was Dr. Thea Tibiletti, the curator of the Canonica Space, who provided our guests a historical overview of Canonica's works on display. Canonica's ties to Stresa commenced in 1898 and lasted for seventeen years due to his close friendship with the Duchess of Genoa, the mother of Queen Margherita of Savoy. It was this long-standing connection that led Canonica in 1953 to donate to the municipality of Stresa the many plaster casts and marble busts that are currently on display.
From Florence, we were joined by Professor Lucia Tonini, Lecturer in Russian Literature and Art, Pisa University. Professor Tonini provided our group an inspired and entertaining presentation based on her latest publication, "Reflections of 'Belle Epoque' in the portraits of Maria Demidova Abamelek-Lazarev". It was interesting to learn from Prof. Tonini that the passing of her husband, Prince Abamelek-Lazarev, in 1916, marked the end of Princess Maria as an icon of the 'Belle Epoque' and the start of forty years of widowhood and eventual withdrawal from the outside world. It is Canonica's marble bust of Princess Maria Abamelek-Lazarev, made in Rome in 1904, that is the undisputed masterpiece of the collection in Stresa.
Following the presentations, our group headed for lunch and then the short ferry ride to Isola Bella for a private viewing of the Borromeo Palace. We were most grateful to Countess Robinia zu Toerring-Jettenbach for making this special visit possible. It goes without saying that our group was enchanted to view the treasure chest of Baroque art on display, the lavish rooms where Napoleon and Jospehine stayed during their visit to the palace, as well as the six 'whimsical' rooms imitating natural grottos, not to mention the lush Italian-style garden.
In the end, this was a most rewarding cultural excursion that was enjoyed by all who attended. It was especially wonderful to meet the new extended family members. We also thank Professor Lucia Tonini for making the visit to Stresa from Florence and for her fascinating presentation on Princess Maria as 'fashion icon' of the 'Belle Epoque'. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Thea Tibiletti for her informative presentation on Canonica and for her most kind and warm welcome.
