Marvel at Caravaggio’s, Bernini’s and Raphael’s works at Rome’s Galleria Borghese
When in Rome you should definitely visit the Borghese Gallery, with its impressive collection of art, defined as “the most beautiful collection in the world“.
The museum, housed in Villa Borghese, is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Booking is mandatory.
Built in 1613 by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the Borghese Gallery houses the private collection of the Cardinal, who had a marvellous collection of precious works of art, both ancient and modern. The Cardinal’s private collection was created starting in 1607, who initiated a systematic acquisition of artworks, making it one of the largest ones at the time. The first collection was made up of paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian while the collection of ancient sculptures, another fundamental element capable of giving an aura of ideal universality to the artistic collections, had been constantly enriched. Inside the gallery, you will find a substantial part of the Borghese collection of paintings,sculptures and antiquities.
Galleria Borghese’s Masterpieces
Scipione Borghese was an early patron of Bernini and an avid collector of works by Caravaggio. He was particularly interested in antique sculptures, but was also driven enough to patronise modern artists and was commissioned work by Caravaggio, Bernini, Domenichino and Rubens.
Walking inside the Borghese Gallery is a unique once-in-a-lifetime journey into the world of some of the most universal artists of all time, including Bernini’s most famous masterpieces:
- Aeneas, Anchises and Ascanius
- Rape of Proserpina
- David
- Apollo and Daphne
- Truth revealed by Time
- Self portrait as Young Man
- Self portrait at a Mature Age
- Bust of Cardinale Scipione Borghese
As you move from one section to the other, marvel at Bernini’s details. A particular artwork to set your eyes on is Ratto di Proserpina, where the hands of the God touching Proserpina’s skin actually seem as if they are sinking into her flesh.
The Borghese Gallery also host Rome’s largest collection of Caravaggio works, including David with the Head of Goliath, Madonna and Child with Saint Anne (Madonna dei Palafrenieri), Saint Jerome and the Boy with basket of fruit.
Apart from being exceptional for its splendid collection (including masterpieces by Antonio Canova, Titian, Brueghel, Raphael and many others), the Galleria Borghese is perfect in the coherence of its decorative ensemble that implies antique marbles, inlays, mosaics, stuccoes and inserts.
Temporary exhibitions are often set up inside the museum to accommodate works by important artists.
How to buy Galleria Borghese tickets
Remember that you cannot purchase tickets at the museum itself. You can book tickets via phone at +39 06 32810, online on the Borghese Gallery’s website or by clicking the button below:
Piazzale Scipione Borghese, 5 (Villa Borghese)
Tuesday – Sunday: 9am – 7 pm (last entrance 5.45pm)
Reservation required
