Lafayette 148 has once again partnered with Save Venice, the leading American nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting the artistic heritage of Venice on the restoration of female painter Giulia Lama’s early 18th-century masterpiece “Virgin in Prayer.”
The large-scale oil painting comes from the church of Santa Maria Assunta in the small village of Malamocco, on the Lido island of Venice. The restoration was undertaken as part of Save Venice’s “Women Artists of Venice” program, which identifies, restores and recognizes the overlooked accomplishments of historic women artists in Venice, including Lama, whose life and career received little attention until the 20th century.
Led by conservator Claudia Vittori and her team, the 2023 treatment achieved transformative results, revealing vibrant hues of red, blue and virgin gray, and restoring a profound sense of depth, perspective and movement to the scene.
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The artwork and restoration also inspired Lafayette 148 to create a standalone capsule collection entitled “Venice,” which features a collaged abstract interpretation of the painting’s color palette, printed upon a silky velvet suit, dress, skirt and top, as well as upon a plisse dress, skirt, top and pant, and a long chiffon dress and scarf. A percentage of proceeds from the “Venice,” capsule collection will go to Save Venice.
“Past, present, and future — we celebrate artistry in all its forms. In partnership with Save Venice, Lafayette 148 proudly sponsored the restoration of Giulia Lama’s Baroque masterpiece ‘Virgin in Prayer’ — of which the sophisticated color and craftsmanship inspired the Lafayette 148 x Save Venice capsule collection. The experience brought us back to the late 1700s in Venice, Italy, with the all-women team of conservationists that uncovered the story of the groundbreaking oil painter,” said Emily Smith, creative director of Lafayette 148.
The collection retails from $498 to $1,998. It will be sold starting Wednesday online and in all U.S. and Toronto boutiques.
