Borghese Gallery in Rome – history, photos, collection, prices 2021, map
The Borghese Gallery is considered one of the most popular cultural attractions in Rome. This is a great treasury of masterpieces of art, where more than 500 art paintings and 300 sculptures are collected.
Story
The history of the emergence of the Roman gallery dates back to the 17th century. A significant part of the museum exhibits appeared thanks to the passionate love of Cardinal Scipione Borghese for art and sculpture. The spiritual career of the clergyman Borghese promised to be successful and cloudless due to the fact that Pope Paul V was his uncle. A high position in the leadership of the Vatican government, access to the church treasury, as well as control over the collection of taxes from the citizens of Rome, allowed the cardinal to enrich himself immensely. His unlimited power contributed to the fulfillment of the main desire in life – to collect the most valuable objects of art. Borghese actively bought up paintings and marble statues of his favorite artists of various eras.
The insatiable desire for luxury literally “drove” the cardinal. If the author or the owner of a valuable canvas refused to sell his work, then Borghese had to abuse his official position. The art lover did not disdain dishonest acts – he resorted to blackmail, forcible confiscation and sometimes outright theft. We should pay tribute to the nobleman, who patronized young and talented artists who later became famous throughout the world. In particular, these are Giovanni Bernini and Merisi da Caravaggio.
In 1613, Sipione Borghese conceived the construction of a luxurious palace capable of accommodating an extensive collection. The construction of the mansion took place in the northern part of Rome on the green hill of Pincho, from where a wonderful panorama of the whole city opens. The snow-white facade of the palace was decorated with an arched gallery and a large loggia with a balustrade. A park of 80 hectares was established around the villa. The territory was decorated with ancient sculptures, green lawns, a pond, a shady alley with pine pines. The palace had the status of a guest residence of the papal curia.
In 1633, Cardinal Borghese dies. At that time, his collection included more than 800 pieces of art and sculpture. According to the will, valuable exhibits passed to the heirs, who did not have the right to sell them. The collection was significantly thinned during the occupation of Rome by the French troops.
This was facilitated by a relative of Cardinal Camillo, who was the husband of Napoleon's sister. Several hundred masterpieces were presented to the Emperor of France. At the end of the 18th century, the Borghese Palace was rebuilt, and the villa's rooms were decorated with ceiling frescoes, bas-reliefs, pilasters and mosaic floors. In 1902, the mansion of the cardinal with works of art was bought by the Roman municipality to create a gallery here.
Art collections
In the current halls of the gallery exhibited the most valuable pieces of art from different eras, collected by Cardinal Borghese. Each room has its own name and theme. There are statues on the ground floor. Of particular note are the sculptural compositions of Lorenzo Bernini, made with unsurpassed realism and grace. The depth of the carving of the work of the master admires with its virtuosity. It seems that the marble is about to turn into human flesh. Beautiful marble David from the Old Testament mythology. The sculptor captured the future king of Judea at the moment of throwing a stone with a sling. The artist created the figure in the dynamics of a sharp turn of the character. David's body is tense like a spring, his face is focused and determined.
The sculpture “Apollo and Daphne” makes a fascinating impression on visitors. This is a truly interesting work by L. Bernini, who depicted an ancient Greek character madly in love with a beautiful nymph. The fluttering clothes of Apollo show that he is running after the girl. Daphne, fleeing from a loving young man, turns into a tree. The gallery exhibits busts of Roman emperors, carved in the 16th century. Here you can also see an elegant sculpture of Venus lying on a sofa, Pluto, Proserpina and other ancient heroes.
The second floor of the palace is famous for its valuable collection of paintings of world importance. The halls of the gallery display genuine masterpieces by Rafael Santi – “Portrait of a Woman with a Unicorn” and “Descent from the Cross”. There are also works by Van Gogh, Botticelli, Rubens and many others. A special pride of the gallery is the work of the Venetian artist Titian “Love on earth and heaven”, dated 1514. The panel depicts two beautiful girls against the backdrop of picturesque nature. One maiden in a snow-white robe personifies the earthly incarnation of Venus, and the other naked woman characterizes heavenly and immaculate attractiveness.
A separate hall of the palace is dedicated to the paintings of the beloved artist Borghese – Caravaggio. The paintings of the master shake to the core. The work “Madonna Palafrenieri” is one of the main pearls of the Borghese collection.
The painting depicts Mary showing the boy Christ how to crush the snake, the embodiment of heresy. The panels “Sick Bacchus” and “Young Man with a Basket of Fruit” are filled with vital energy and bright colors. The canvas “Saint Jerome” shows a church minister immersed in his manuscripts. On the table among the books you can see a human skull. The artist in this work skillfully depicted the relationship between the transience of life and the desire to know the truth.
Opening hours and ticket prices
The Borghese Gallery has special rules for visitors. Museum doors are open from 9:00 to 19:00. Tourists are allowed in groups and only for two hours. It is recommended to book tickets in advance, the cost of which is 20 euros.
Where is it located and how to get there
The museum is located on a picturesque hill in Rome in a vast park area. You can get to the place by metro to the Spagna station. Numerous bus routes follow the gallery.