Galleria Borghese is not just an art collection, but a truly emerald in the crown of Rome, storing the treasures of the noble Borghese family.
Located in the elegant building of Villa Pinciana, or "Little Palace," it rises on the Pincio hill.
History of the Collection
At the origins of this splendor was Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V himself. He was obsessed with the idea of gathering the best examples of ancient art and works by the genius Caravaggio in his halls.
The pearl of the park was once the statue of the "Borghese Gladiator," until it was sold to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1807.
In 1902, the Borghese family collection was transformed into the National Museum.
General Exhibition Plan
The first floor of the museum is the realm of sculpture. Cardinal Scipione Borghese commissioned Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini to create his most brilliant works: "Aeneas, Anchises and Ascanius," "David," "Apollo and Daphne," "The Rape of Proserpina."
Main Works
The painting collection includes "Madonna with Child" by Giovanni Bellini, "The Entombment of Christ" by Raphael, "Earthly Love and Heavenly Love" and "Venus Binding Cupid's Eyes" by Titian, as well as works by Botticelli, Caravaggio, Rubens.
Visiting the Galleria Borghese requires advance ticket booking — this speaks to how popular this museum is among art lovers.