The Stories Of Vizcaya

Just like Charles Deering, his daughters followed in his footsteps when it came to art collecting. Both James and Charles had very distinct tastes in art and antiques, and by extension, Marion and Barbara also shared some of those tastes. Since James Deering was never married and had no children, when he passed away in

A Glimpse into the Cleaning Process Every year, the dedicated team at Vizcaya undertakes the colossal task of deep cleaning a specific room within the historic Main House. This process involves a comprehensive top-to-bottom cleaning, using a slow and meticulous process as well as conservation-grade solutions. Although time-consuming and resource-intensive, this is an important step

Every castle needs a moat and Vizcaya is no different. This feature of the estate goes largely unnoticed by visitors because of its location below the Piazza. As guests arrive at the estate and approach the admissions booth, they unknowingly walk right over the inconspicuous moat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gM95TTf0s4 The Origins The moat was originally used as

Vizcaya has been a witness to numerous significant occurrences in the history of Miami over the last century. Initially built in 1916 as the vacation home of the affluent businessman James Deering, it has since evolved into a revered public art museum. Throughout its existence, Vizcaya has actively engaged with the community and played a

Vizcaya: James Deering’s Winter Home The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens stand as a testament to the vision of businessman James Deering. Constructed between 1914 and 1922, this stunning villa encompasses 34 exquisitely decorated rooms, formal gardens, a mangrove shoreline, a hardwood hammock, and a historic village that once supported the estate. Now serving as a

The Glass Canopy: Protecting and Enhancing the Courtyard The central courtyard of Vizcaya’s Main House boasts a unique and ever-evolving landscape. Over the years, it has undergone several transformations, each resulting in a more tropical ambiance than the previous iterations. In 1983, the formerly open-air courtyard was enclosed with a glass canopy to safeguard the

Mr. Deering’s Sitting Room graces the second floor of the Main House with its grandeur. Designed in the neoclassical style, the room exudes symmetry, rigid lines, and opulent gilding, reminiscent of the 1750s European aesthetic associated with Napoleon Bonaparte. This style also extends to other rooms, including James Deering’s bedroom, creating an aura of timeless

Introduction: A Massive Preservation Effort Vizcaya’s Waterfront Restoration project stands as a testament to the preservation efforts undertaken to protect this historical treasure, which has weathered the passage of time and natural disasters. Hurricane Irma, which hit Miami in 2017, impacted every major architectural element along Vizcaya’s waterfront. The Barge: Recovery and Restoration The Barge

Introduction to Romanticism Movement During the 18th century, an artistic movement known as Romanticism spread throughout Europe, seeking to evoke an idealized world of rural simplicity in contrast to the urban, industrialized centers of the cities. This nostalgic vision of a peaceful countryside was expressed through various art forms, including oil paintings and lead garden

The South Tower inside Vizcaya’s Main House is a visitor favorite. Home to Vizcaya’s famous spiral staircase, a frequent spot for photos, and four guest bedrooms, the Museum’s Collections and Maintenance teams have closed the space for a brief period to address a series of environmental and safety concerns. Now that the South Tower has