Rome, April 17 – The Roman house of Giacomo Balla, a leading figure of Futurism, has been acquired by the Italian State and is now open to the public. Located at Via Oslavia 39, near Piazza Mazzini in the Vittorie district, the apartment offers a unique glimpse into the artist’s life and his concept of ‘total art’.
A Futurist Masterpiece in Rome
Giacomo Balla, a signatory of the Manifesto of Futurist Painters, was a prolific and ingenious avant-garde artist of the 20th century. He lived art in its entirety, transforming his home into a vibrant canvas of forms and colors. The house, where Balla resided with his daughters Luce and Elica from 1929 until their passing in the 1990s, is an extraordinary example of how art permeated every aspect of his life.
Every Detail an Artwork
Nothing in Casa Balla is ‘normal’. Every room, piece of furniture, and utensil is a harmonious celebration of color, artistic joy, and Futurist styles, contrasting sharply with any notion of ‘sobriety’. Floors, tiles, cabinets, furniture, and even crockery were designed or decorated by Balla and his daughters, creating a truly immersive artistic experience.
The House Museum: A Journey Through Futurist Spaces
Protected by cultural heritage status since 2004 and acquired by the Ministry of Culture in 2025 for 6.9 million euros, the 150 square meter house comprises several distinct environments:
- The Futurist Corridor: Upon entering, marked by the evocative ‘FuturBalla’ brass plaque, visitors are greeted by a long, narrow space where pastel colors-green, yellow, and light blue-adorn the walls and ceiling, blurring traditional boundaries. Even the coat rack is designed to blend with this cheerful palette.
- The Living Room: This space profoundly embodies the concept of ‘total art’. The floor, with its lilac-colored geometric (yet fluid) patterns in yellow, blue, and Siena earth, designed by Balla, serves as a stage for an ensemble of easels displaying many of the painter’s sketches. A pair of wooden panels depicting two hands (one red, one green) meeting forms the backdrop of this ‘domestic theater’.
- Bathroom and Kitchen: In these service areas, art transcends the vertical concept of ‘major art’ and ‘applied art’. When dinnerware, bathroom tiles, and asymmetrical shelves are designed by one of Italy’s greatest artists, the revolutionary spirit of Futurism finds its horizontal fulfillment in everyday life.
Giacomo Balla: Beyond Futurism
Born in Turin in 1871, Giacomo Balla was a central figure of Futurism, the most innovative and important artistic movement of the early 20th century, founded by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti. Largely self-taught, Balla’s early focus on light and color led him to Divisionism. He moved to Rome around the turn of the century, working as a portraitist and illustrator, and engaging with the city’s vibrant art scene.
The Evolution of an Artist
His studies on dynamism led him to sign the Manifesto of Futurist Painters in 1910, adopting the pseudonym ‘FuturBalla’ from 1914. Balla’s contribution to the visual language of the movement was pivotal. In revolutionary paintings such as “Girl Running on a Balcony,” “Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash,” and “Automobile Speed,” Balla sought to make movement visible by deconstructing action into a sequence of superimposed images.
Over time, Balla expanded the Futurist idea beyond painting, delving into set design, interior decoration, fashion, and even the design of everyday objects. His goal was to transform art into a total experience that encompassed every aspect of modern life. However, in the 1930s, he gradually moved away from Futurism, returning to a more traditional and figurative painting style.
Visiting Casa Balla: A Unique Opportunity
Recognized as a site of cultural interest in 2004, the house underwent a significant restoration by the Central Institute for Restoration, allowing its reopening to the public in 2021.
The Giacomo Balla House Museum is open to visitors only during specific periods of the year, always with guided tours and by reservation. The entrance fee is 18 euros. It is advisable to check the official website for available dates.
Source: idealista.it
