Finarte, the renowned Italian auction house founded in 1959, has created a collaboration with Villa Igiea in Palermo, which will open on April 29th in its Art Nouveau-style rooms. The partnership intends to establish a new destination for art and collectibles, integrating high-end hospitality, culture, and commerce in one of the city's most renowned buildings. The approach is based on the one introduced in February 2025 with the Hotel de Bonart in Naples and is now being repeated in the Sicilian capital, where Finarte plans to establish a permanent presence. The calendar of activities runs from May to November, ranging from “Valuation Days”, aimed at individuals wishing to assess, buy, or sell works of art and luxury items, to “Art Talks,” meetings with specialists and collectors focused on the art market, as well as previews of upcoming auctions.. The topics of interest will be diverse, ranging from ancient art to fine-art photography, as well as jewelry, old cars, and other luxury collectibles. The first project saw Villa Igiea present "The Raft after Géricault" by Renato Guttuso, a work anchored in Sicilian creative history that will be auctioned by Finarte on June 9th in Milan, with an estimate of €100,000 to €140,000. The selection of Palermo is not an accident; the city is currently undergoing a robust international cultural revival, as demonstrated by the recent inauguration of the Hauser & Wirth gallery, the transformation of Palazzo Butera, and events such as Manifesta 12. Villa Igiea is a historic 5-star superior hotel in Palermo. Its unique setting, overlooking the Acquasanta port, is shielded from the rear by Mount Pellegrino, which rises above. The sea vista spans several kilometers due to its elevation above the natural coastline.