The S.S. Beatrice: A Floating Museum

The prominent design inspiration for the entire ship began with the 18th-century blue and white Chinese export porcelain, marrying ancient tradition with the modernity of blonde wood and polished nickel accents. The result is a luxurious and timeless interior, echoing Italian Riviera yacht style with sleek, linear surfaces and splashes of nautical shades throughout.

There are a number of unique artworks, sculptures, and artifacts found throughout the ship, but the most notable are the Picassos, Calders, and of course, the wonderful glass horse sculpture created by the Italian Murano glass Master, Pino Signoretto.

A prolific and tireless innovator of art forms, Picasso was an easy choice for the Beatrice. The color and heavy brushstrokes of these particular pieces worked well with the lighter undertones of the interior. We are fortunate enough to have sourced a number of Picasso’s works for this ship, including L’Atelier de Cannes which is showcased in Royal Suite 415. Found in Wolfgang’s Lounge, Suite 400, and in the corridors are four lithographs comprised of the A Los Toros suite, which include La Pique, Le Picador, Jeu de la Cape, and Les Banderilles. Originally Picasso had provided four black and white artworks for the portfolio, but he was then asked to add some color, so he pulled out some wax crayons and got to work on Le Picador, which is the only 24-color Picasso lithograph ever created. We also have his magnificent Colombe volant hanging in Royal Suite 416.

Alexander Calder’s Spiders Nest and Pyramids II displayed in Wolfgang’s was an obvious decision for us. The American’s bold use of color and strong abstract style works well with the surrounding blue and white hues. They’re outstanding pieces which create a striking statement in this relaxing space.

Finally, we come back to Pino Signoretto, recognized as the most prominent glass artist and sculptor of the 21st Century. Pino learned the ancient Murano glass secrets and techniques from the Masters Livio and Angelo Seguso, Ermanno Nason, and most importantly, the celebrated Alfredo Barbini. After becoming a Master himself, Pino went on to exhibit alongside prominent artists including Picasso and Dali. Since his passing in December 2017, we are only too aware of the responsibility we now have as guardians of his work. His iconic horse sculpture stands in Pride of place on the ship, allowing everyone an opportunity to appreciate this unique piece of craftmanship.

Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Uniworld itineraries and inclusions are subject to change at any time.