World Premiere: Italian Renaissance Alive At Biltmore
Events & Activities 02/23/23
Written By Jean Sexton
Experience the world premiere of Italian Renaissance Alive at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC!
The stunning new exhibition, created and produced by Grande Experiences, opens March 3, 2023, in our Amherst at Deerpark® exhibition space on the grounds of the estate.
“This is no ordinary art exhibition,” said Travis Tatham, Director of Destination Entertainment and Events. “If you’ve ever tiptoed through a silent gallery to view paintings from afar, prepare to be amazed by this experience!”

“From start to finish, you’ll interact with art in ways you never imagined, surrounded by a vibrant symphony of light, color, sound–even fragrance. It is truly an unforgettable event for all the senses,” Travis said.
What was the Renaissance?

Renaissance means “rebirth,” and the era brought cultural, artistic, political and economic rebirth to Europe following the Middle Ages and the fall of the Roman Empire. A new vision of civilization was portrayed on canvas, in fresco, and sculpture, and the epicenter of it all was Italy.
Italian Renaissance Alive traverses the entire Renaissance time frame, from the 14th to 17th centuries. It celebrates the exceptional artistic and cultural influences of the period, immersing audiences in culture, architecture, sculpture, and literature of this iconic movement.
Italian Renaissance Alive

“Since Biltmore is hosting the world premiere of Italian Renaissance Alive, our guests will be the very first to experience this brand-new exhibition,” said Travis.
According to Travis, visitors will be instantly transported by the history and splendor of this extraordinary period, surrounded in its beauty, and able to explore hundreds of masterpieces from some of the world’s most revered artists and sculptors in grand and glorious detail.

Highlights include Michelangelo’s breath-taking Sistine Chapel, Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, and other glorious works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, Veronese, and more, in an awe-inspiring, large-scale, immersive experience.

“Accompanied by a powerful Italian operatic score including works by Puccini and Verdi, combined with a compelling narrative, this multi-sensory experience will deliver audiences a captivating, educational and entertaining moment to remember,” said Travis.
George Vanderbilt and the American Renaissance

Although he was born 200 years after the Italian Renaissance ended, George Vanderbilt was part of what is known as the American Renaissance–a cultural period from 1876 to 1917 in which the United States experienced a renewal of national self-confidence, embracing both modernism and new technologies along with classic art and architecture.
Vanderbilt traveled to Italy several times, even choosing to spend his honeymoon there, and collected a number of Renaissance-era and Renaissance-inspired treasures for his magnificent home.

“This new exhibition is a fitting tribute to George Vanderbilt’s lifelong passion for fine art,” Travis said. “It helps you see the connection between Biltmore and this exhibition while enjoying some of the world’s best known masterpieces in an entirely new way, immersed in the beauty and brilliance of a major artistic period in history as it comes to life all around you.”
Be among the first to enjoy Italian Renaissance Alive at Biltmore!

Make plans now to experience Italian Renaissance Alive, the fourth and final exhibition in our remarkable Legends of Art & Innovation at Biltmore series.
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Biltmore and extend your visit with a reservation at one of our hotels or private historic cottages with an Italian Renaissance Alive package that includes a special memento of your exhibition experience.
In addition, enhance your stay with a complimentary wine tasting at the Winery in Antler Hill Village, a wide range of outdoor activities, shopping, dining, and so much more!
Featured image: The Birth of Venus by Botticelli, ca. 1484–1486
It doesn’t say anywhere what time you can do the immersive viewings? Are they scheduled like the house tours or is it open and available for entry at all hours?
Dear Candy,
Reservations are required to visit Italian Renaissance Alive, and you can choose your exhibition time in conjunction with your Biltmore House reservations.
can you take photos with or without flash?
Thank you for your question, Anne. Photos are allowed in the exhibition, but please avoid using the flash setting on your phone or camera as it is distracting to other guests.
Can you do only the Italian renaissance exhibit or have to do house tour?
Dear Pat,
Thank you for your question. Biltmore Annual Passholders may purchase “exhibition only” tickets; all other guests must purchase Audio-Guided Visit Plus or Expert-Guided Visit Plus tickets to have access to the estate and the exhibition. You can compare ticket options online at biltmore.com.