Former Playboy model Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi lives in the building boasting the sole ceiling fresco ever made by the artist
A Playboy model-turned-aristocrat has defied an Italian judge’s ruling demanding that she vacate the 16th-century Villa Aurora that houses a unique Caravaggio ceiling fresco.
On top of a bitter ownership feud with the sons of her late husband, Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi has been accused of neglecting the historical building.
On Thursday, a fifth auction closed with no prospective buyers.
A judge in Rome ruled the property is not being properly maintained after the collapse of a wall. The court also found that the US-born Princess Rita, who married into one of Italy’s most distinguished noble families, had allegedly organized unauthorized tours of the villa – something she denies.
“I intend to vigorously defend my right of use,” Princess Rita told the media, commenting on the court’s decision.
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© Wikipedia
Villa Aurora, estimated to be worth some $539 million, has the world’s only Caravaggio mural, which depicts the Olympian gods Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto.