• Italy Gay Travel
  • Travel Guides
  • Lifestyle
  • Queer News
  • Q Channel
  • English
Menu
  • Italy Gay Travel
  • Travel Guides
  • Lifestyle
  • Queer News
  • Q Channel
  • English
Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter
  • About us
  • LGBTQ Italy Guide
  • Plan your Trip
  • Contact us
  • About us
  • LGBTQ Italy Guide
  • Plan your Trip
  • Contact us
Search
Close

Villa Hélène – The Museum of Hendrik Christian Andersen

Redazione by Redazione
21 December 2021
Reading Time: 2 mins read

Villa Hélène houses one of the most interesting museums in Rome from an LGBTQ+ perspective. It is dedicated to the renowned gay artist Hendrik Christian Andersen. Andersen was born in Bergen, Norway in 1872, and emigrated with his family to the United States a year later. After spending his formative years in New England, he travelled throughout Europe and eventually fell in love with Italy and all things Italian. He moved in Rome in 1896, where he remained a productive artist and influential figure until his death in 1940.

Andersen had a complex life, bridging the romantic era and modern times. He was an accomplished painter and sculptor and had a lifelong obsession with architecture and urbanism. The latter provide inspiration for the construction of massive sculptures representing themes of love, maternity, and physical strength, all created to decorate the public buildings of the new “World City”, where only beauty and idealism could help human beings to live their lives in peace. Many of these works feature homoerotic themes, and all display passion and energy to the visitor.

The collected works include over two hundred sculptures of large, medium and small dimensions in plaster and bronze, over two hundred paintings, and over three hundred graphic works. All this art is on display, along with his extensive urban plans, and some of Andersen’s personal items. Perhaps most interesting to many visitors is his passionate correspondence with the American writer Henry James. The collection of 77 letters document the love story of two men separated by a great physical distance, yet in an intensely emotional relationship. Although James was 30 years his senior, Andersen clearly cherished the 16-year relationship which lasted until James’ death in 1915.

Andersen personally designed and supervised the construction of the elegant Villa Hélène, which was completed in 1925. The building itself is an excellent example of early 20th century Roman elegance with many neoclassical archetypes, and gives the visitor a true sense of stepping back into another time. The building and the entire collection of artwork and documents was donated to the Italian government by Andersen’s estate, and finally became a museum to house his work in 1999. When in Rome, visit to Villa Hélène is an absolute must! 

More info on special Untold History Tours of this museum.

Share121Tweet76

Related Posts

why take gay cruise and what are the best of 2023?
Travel Guides

Gay cruise: why take an only men cruise and what are the best deals in 2023?

17 March 2023

The year 2023 holds interesting offers for gay cruises. In this article you can find out about them and why you should choose an only men cruise now

Gay Rome: the secret history of the Vatican Museums
Travel Guides

Gay Rome: the secret history of the Vatican Museums

15 March 2023

Discovering Gay Rome and LGBTQ culture, present in an unthinkable place, namely in the Vatican City Vatican Museums

“Call me by your name”: 9 iconic locations where Guadagnino’s film was shot
Travel Guides

“Call me by your name”: 9 iconic locations where Guadagnino’s film was shot

13 March 2023

Even today, a few years after the success of the film "Call Me By Your Name," there are many people who want to know exactly Call Me By Your Name locations are, the Luca Guadagnino's gay-themed film that won...

all lgbt pride in Italy in 2023
Travel Guides

LGBTQ Pride 2023 in Italy (updated in March)

13 March 2023

2023 is shaping up to be a year full of Pride in Italy and events dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community.  However, attending a Pride is not the prerogative of only queer people. Pride (also known as Gay Pride or...

About Quiiky Magazine

Quiiky Magazine

Quiiky Magazine

Italian LGBTQ+ Travel & Lifestyle Portal

Quiiky Magazine is the premier Italian lifestyle and travel portal dedicated to LGBTQ+ travelers, featuring articles on Italian destinations, cuisines, wines, art, history and culture.

Download our Magazine

Categories

  • Lifestyle (17)
  • Queer News (20)
  • Travel Guides (81)
QUIIKY TOUR OPERATOR

VIAGGI LGBTQ+ TAILOR MADE

Scopri di più ⟶

media partner

We support

Member of

Newsletter

Ricevi tutte le novità dall’universo rainbow

Clicca qui

© 2022 Quiiky Magazine by Sonders&Beach - ROC Lombardia n. 21970 del 13/02/2012 | ISSN 2281-6186

Privacy Terms

  • About us
  • Advertising
  • LGBTQ+ Italy Travel Guide
  • Contact us
  • Plan your Trip
  • About us
  • Advertising
  • LGBTQ+ Italy Travel Guide
  • Contact us
  • Plan your Trip
  • English