An iconic citrus fruit of the Mediterranean landscape, the lemon is at the center of the spring program of Villa Medici thanks to the exceptional loan from the Musée d'Orsay of the work Le Citron (The Lemon) painted by Édouard Manet in 1880, which will be exhibited for three months in the rooms historical events of Cardinal de' Medici, as the highlight of the guided tour of Villa Medici.

The silent presence of the Lemon, which seems to appeal to all the senses, will be the occasion for a literary residency by the French writer and philosopher Vinciane Despret, who in April will be called to be inspired by this fruit.

This programming under the sign of citrus fruits will allow us to address their historical, artistic and culinary dimensions through multidisciplinary events, including a research laboratory on the theme "The power of citrus fruits", organized by the art history department of Villa Medici.

In the 16th century, in the vast garden of the estate purchased in 1576 by Ferdinando de' Medici, orange, lemon, orange and cedar trees grew in abundance. Carefully cultivated by gardeners to preserve their size and taste, citrus fruits supplied the cardinal's table, while the flowers and peels were candied, marinated or transformed into perfumed oils and distilled in the palace foundry. In particular, cedar, or mala medica, was cultivated for its pharmacological virtues, which relieved fevers and acted as an antidote against poisons. Today, the precious citrus fruits are recalled by visitors to Villa Medici when they contemplate the frescoed vault of the bird room, Ferdinand's private study.