A Marore, near Parma, Ennemond-Alexandre Petitot (1727-1801), from 1753 architect of the ducal factories and teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts of Parma, chose his residence “in villa”. The house, still existing and inhabited, almost miraculously preserves intact a small theater, certainly designed by the architect, whose figurative taste is found in the surviving decorations. Located in the attic, in a rectangular room of moderate size, it has a stage framed by two pillars while the scene is divided into three parts by four wooden Doric columns painted to look like marble, which on the sides frame the beautiful monochromes with statues of Apollo and Minerva. These monochromes are painted on two panels which, when removed, reveal a landscape with a city view (painted on the back wall). A frieze with putti completes the scene at the top. Particularly interesting and of high pictorial quality is the ceiling in which a velarium is simulated around which putti, garlands, and festoons intertwine. The room, furnished with the original wooden benches and small furniture for the buffet, is illuminated by three windows, two of which overlook the garden partially laid out as a labyrinth according to the ancient design.
Information about Teatrino di Villa Petitot
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43121 Parma (Parma)
Source: MIBACT
