Temple of Wings Villa, an ode to beauty and the Arts and Crafts movement, is up for auction | Architectural Digest of Italy

“Alma-Tadema’s stunning painting Coign of Vantage and Tiffany’s Wisteria lamp are excellent examples of how Ms. Getty created inspiring and harmonious bonds between the artists in her collection and the estate. Alma-Tadema’s masterpiece Coign of Vantage was Mrs Getty’s first purchase for the Temple of the Wings. The work was the starting point of the collection. It echoes architect Bernard Maybeck’s concept that the residence is a Roman villa on a high peak overlooking Berkeley and the bay, just as its predecessors towered over the Bay of Naples. Beautiful models in togas also refer to the early history of Isadora Duncan-inspired modern dance at the Temple of the Wings. The Tiffany Wisteria lamp is in perfect balance with the natural environment. Mrs. Getty juxtaposed this naturalistic soft-coloured lamp with a wisteria-covered façade.

What struck you Temple of the Wings?

“Ms. Getty’s personal collection of paintings, arts and crafts and textiles, The Temple of the Wings, is eclectic and harmonious. She was a bold woman, experimenting with her interiors. I find the Temple of the Wings especially inspiring because of the blending of past and present. Ebony furnitureaesthetic movement and William De Morgan’s ceramics are especially chic and would look amazing in a modern interior.”

The collection will be sold at Christie’s in New York on June 14th. Proceeds will benefit arts and science organizations chosen by Ann and Gordon Getty.

“Like proceeds from previous sales that have benefited philanthropic arts and sciences in the Bay Area, the proceeds from the Temple of Wings sale will continue Ann and Gordon Getty’s charitable work.”