Since 12th July, the luxurious medieval island hotel of Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro, frequented by celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Novak Djokovic, has been running a one-of-a-kind art exhibition that gives guests the chance to book a room with its own private Picasso. Demand has been so high that the hotel has just extended the exhibition to 8th September.
Art lovers: have you ever imagined adorning the walls of your home with some of the finest art of the last century? This summer, one of the world’s most exclusive hotels is offering that very experience – albeit on a temporary basis – to a select few lucky guests.
Since 12th July, the luxurious medieval island hotel of Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro, frequented by celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Novak Djokovic, has been running a one-of-a-kind art exhibition that gives guests the chance to book a room with its own private Picasso. Demand has been so high that the hotel has just extended the exhibition to 8th September.
Aman Sveti Stefan’s “Art on the Island: Les Ateliers, Picasso, Chagrall, Miró” exhibition represents a world first in bringing together works of three of the 20th century’s greatest artists, curated to complement the stunning hotel space in which they are situated.
Paintings including Picasso’s intriguing ‘Deux Femmes’, Chagall’s poignant ‘Les Amoureux’ and Miró’s enigmatic ‘Le Lezard aux Plumes d’Or’ series are on display in the hotel’s villas and rooms, in the pasticceria and cigar room on the island’s piazza, and within the island’s elegant Italian restaurant. The artworks are on show to Aman Sveti Stefan guests alone, enhancing the already rarefied atmosphere of this exclusive destination.
With its pink sandy beaches, 15th-century island village, 1930s mainland estate and sublime spa, Aman Sveti Stefan is widely considered a masterpiece in the hotel industry – and the perfect home for these masterpieces of the art world. Aman Sveti Stefan is part of the Aman Hotels and Resorts group, ranked number one in the Top Luxury Hotel Brands 2018 according to Luxury Travel Intelligence.
The hotel has just 58 rooms and suites, with staff outnumbering guests by a factor of three, so those staying can be guaranteed an up-close-and-personal viewing experience at the exhibition. The resort was a favourite amongst members of the original 1950s jet set, such as Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren, and was re-launched in 2010 after years of painstaking renovation.
“Imagine waking up in the Louvre or walking through the Tate on your way to dinner,” says hotelier Petros Stathis. “Luxury hotels are themselves a work of art, and by providing a unique setting for the right pieces of art they can deliver a truly distinctive guest experience. Few hotels can match the iconic setting, classical romance and vibrant history of Aman Sveti Stefan.”
While diverse in style and subject, the lithographs were selected by curator Migena Hajdari to show common underlying themes in the work of the three artists. The Picasso works in the exhibition illustrate topics dear to the artist, including his love interests, the Minotaur, bullfighting and politics. The Chagall works tell a personal and evocative story of a remarkable artistic career and his journey towards what poet Robert Marteau calls the “achievement of the innocence in painting”. The 13 Miró prints in the exhibition are some of the foremost examples of surrealism and Dadaism, displaying vivid colors, figures, animals, natural elements, dreams, fantasies and emotions.
“This is a unique opportunity for guests to experience the finest hospitality and resort experience alongside some of the most beautiful art of the last century,” Stathis proudly proclaims.
Like his Aman Cavtat resort in neighbouring Croatia, which is currently under construction, restoring Sveti Stefan was part of Stathis’s long-term masterplan to get the Balkans back on the world stage. The countries have experienced a surge in tourism in recent years, fueled in no small part by high-end luxury experiences such as those offered by the Aman group.
“We are honoured to be hosting work of such quality and distinction and to offer our guests something truly special,” says Stathis. “This exhibition marks the continued journey of Montenegro and the Balkans to the highest level of excellence as a world class destination.”
