Under the Stars: Stella Terrae by Abdelkader Benchamma Transforms Villa Albertine’s Ballroom
Under the Stars: Stella Terrae by Abdelkader Benchamma © Beowulf Sheehan
The new ceiling mural brings a celestial landscape to Villa Albertine’s historic ballroom.
Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, is thrilled to unveil Stella Terrae, a striking artwork exploring humanity’s celestial origins at its Fifth Avenue headquarters.
Painted on the ceiling of the Payne Whitney Mansion’s iconic Gilded Age ballroom, the mural was inaugurated during a ceremony held on September 27, 2026.
The design was conceived by French artist and 2026 Villa Albertine resident Abdelkader Benchamma, who was selected as the laureate of a jury-led competition in June 2026 from a field of 225 site-specific entries.
Stella Terrae comprises dark blue and violet hues, combined with iridescent accents, to evoke a night sky. Its creation was realized through a vibrant collaboration between Benchamma and Pierre-Yves Morel, who have worked together on large-scale projects in France, including the Vitry-sur-Seine metro and Centre Pompidou. Morel, a prize-winning artisan recognized for his mastery of trompe l’oeil, detailed the gold and bronze leaf applied selectively throughout the mural.
Stella Terrae has been made possible through the exceptional support of the Sisley-d’Ornano Foundation, with additional support from French Heritage Society’s New York Chapter and Ann and Bill Van Ness.
The project was developed in close collaboration with the Centre national des arts plastiques (CNAP).
Discover Stella Terrae
Experience Stella Terrae in person and discover the transformed ballroom ceiling by joining us for one of Villa Albertine’s upcoming New York events. Explore upcoming events here.
Stay tuned for a forthcoming video taking you behind the scenes of Stella Terrae, from the painting process to the transformation of the ballroom ceiling.