David Tremlett’s new artworks for a former monastery in Italy’s Langhe hills

The ancient Cistercian monastery of San Maurizio, founded in 1619 by Provençal monks – masters in the cultivation of medicinal herbs and wine – stands in the heart of Italy’s Langhe Hills. Located in Santo Stefano Belbo, in the province of Cuneo, this iconic site is surrounded by landscapes immortalized by Cesare Pavese and Beppe Fenoglio. Today, it is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Now home to Relais San Maurizio, the monastery blends history, nature, and world-class hospitality. Its exceptional setting is enriched by lush green surroundings, the Michelin-starred haute cuisine of Guido da Costigliole restaurant, an exclusive spa offering vinotherapy and thalassotherapy treatments, and striking artistic interventions that merge tradition with modernity. One such intervention comes from British artist David Tremlett, celebrated for his site-specific Wall Drawings, which are often designed to interact with historic buildings or forgotten spaces. For Tremlett, the Langhe has become a creative refuge – a land of rolling hills, rhythmic vineyards, scattered villages, and solitary chapels, all steeped in stories and suggestions. Here, Tremlett has left his mark with three iconic works that exemplify the dialogue between art, architecture, and landscape.

His first project in the Langhe took place in 1999, when he transformed the Cappella della SS. Madonna delle Grazie in La Morra (1914), commonly known as the Barolo Chapel. At the time, the structure was a ruin, restored through the vision of famed Barolo producer Bruno Ceretto, with contributions from Tremlett and his close friend, Sol LeWitt. Tremlett returned to the Langhe in 2017 for the Cappella della Beata Maria Vergine del Carmine in Coazzolo (province of Asti) at the invitation of philanthropist Silvano Stella.

Most recently, Tremlett completed a remarkable intervention at Relais San Maurizio. Tasked with transforming a prominent room in the monastery, the artist established harmony between the original frescoed ceiling and the bare walls by introducing two layers of modular compositions. The lower section, rendered in deep hues of burgundy, orange, black, and grey, forms a solid visual foundation. Its vibrancy interacts seamlessly with the stark white intermediary space, which serves as a bridge between past and present. Above, Tremlett’s softer, more subdued palette echoes the nuances of the historic frescoes. “When I first visited the chapel at Relais San Maurizio, I noticed that the vault of the White Space (the original name of the exhibition space) had no connection with the walls. Something felt off; it didn’t fit. Now, however, the upper part of the work interacts with the structure, color, and form of the vault. The lower part is the foundation – a base that anchors the entire space in color, light, and air. In the middle, there’s a horizon: our open space,” Tremlett explains.

The artist’s vision aligns perfectly with that of Giuditta and Arianna Gallo, the young and visionary sisters who oversee Relais San Maurizio. Since their father, Domenico Gallo, embarked on the monastery’s restoration in 1997, the sisters have infused it with a thoughtful and creative evolution. “We asked David Tremlett, a deep admirer and connoisseur of the Langhe, to create a work capable of establishing a fil rouge between art and territory, between ancient and modern,” explain the Gallo sisters. This philosophy extends to every aspect of the property’s management. Local materials such as wood, terracotta, and stone are thoughtfully restored and reinterpreted, while sustainable initiatives ensure an experience of impeccable hospitality. Integral to this delicate balance is Carlotta Oddone, the Turin-based designer and long-time Gallo family collaborator. Through her keen eye for fabrics, colors, and details, Oddone creates spaces that mirror the rhythms of the surrounding landscape and adapt seamlessly to the changing seasons. The subtle scents of lavender and wood, the play of natural light, and the tactile richness of her designs all contribute to an experience that transcends aesthetics and remains grounded in the region’s history and traditions.

“Guided by the strong identity of the place, my work at the Relais is defined by the use of color and textiles. Each room is unique, ensuring that guests are impressed by the meticulous attention to detail and moved by the space’s unique character – a feeling heightened by the craftsmanship evident in every furnishing,” Oddone reflects.