James Gaston

Castel Sant'Angelo

Pizza withdrawal

The Borghese 27 Nov 2024 The Borghese 27 Nov 2024 Roma --

I'd read too many recommendations so my expectations were elevated. Yet, the small, visitor- and time-limited Borghese gallery delivered. Highlights are the marble sculptures by Bernini and Canova set amidst colourful backgrounds of art and decoration. Don't forget to look up—the ceilings are spectacular.

Buy tickets 3- to 4-weeks ahead of time. A ticket gets you two hours, enough for a first visit. And if you doubt this is time enough, well, buy two.

The Borghese Gallery

Credit: Rick Steves
Map of floor 1

The Borghese

The Rape of Proserpina, Bernini

Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius, Bernini

Pauline Borghese as Venus, Canova

When artists were able to turn stone into silk.

Pauline Borghese as Venus, Canova

When artists were able to turn stone into silk.

Pauline Borghese as Venus, Canova

When artists were able to turn stone into silk.

Pauline Borghese as Venus, Canova

David, by Bernini

Apollo and Daphne, Bernini

Close up of sculpture

The Borghese

Allegory of taste, hearing and touch

JAN BRUEGHEL IL VECCHIO
(1568-1625)
e bottega di / and workshop of
PETER PAUL RUBENS
Allegoria del Gusto, dell'Udito e del Tatto
Allegory of Taste, Hearing and Touch
c. 1618-1620
Olio su tela / Oil on canvas

L'opera, insieme al suo pendant con l'Allegoria della Vista e dell'Olfatto, fu commissionata da Isabella di Borbone e giunse a Madrid nel 1623. In un interno principesco, compaiono le allegorie del tatto, dell'udito e del gusto disposte attorno a una tavola riccamente imbandita. Il tema dei cinque sensi rappresenta uno snodo centrale all'interno dell'Adone, dove nella prima parte dell'opera, dedicata agli amori tra Venere e Adone, ben tre canti sono dedicati alla descrizione e alla celebrazione di questo soggetto.

This work, along with its pendant, the Allegory of Sight and Smell, was commissioned by Isabella of Bourbon and reached Madrid in 1623. The allegorical figures of Hearing, Touch and Taste are positioned around a richly laid table within a princely interior. The theme of the five senses represents a key turning point within the Adone, in the first part of which, dedicated to the love between Venus and Adonis, three cantos are devoted to the description and celebration of this subject.

Allegory of taste, hearing and touch

JAN BRUEGHEL IL VECCHIO
(1568-1625)
e bottega di / and workshop of
PETER PAUL RUBENS
Allegoria del Gusto, dell'Udito e del Tatto
Allegory of Taste, Hearing and Touch
c. 1618-1620
Olio su tela / Oil on canvas

L'opera, insieme al suo pendant con l'Allegoria della Vista e dell'Olfatto, fu commissionata da Isabella di Borbone e giunse a Madrid nel 1623. In un interno principesco, compaiono le allegorie del tatto, dell'udito e del gusto disposte attorno a una tavola riccamente imbandita. Il tema dei cinque sensi rappresenta uno snodo centrale all'interno dell'Adone, dove nella prima parte dell'opera, dedicata agli amori tra Venere e Adone, ben tre canti sono dedicati alla descrizione e alla celebrazione di questo soggetto.

This work, along with its pendant, the Allegory of Sight and Smell, was commissioned by Isabella of Bourbon and reached Madrid in 1623. The allegorical figures of Hearing, Touch and Taste are positioned around a richly laid table within a princely interior. The theme of the five senses represents a key turning point within the Adone, in the first part of which, dedicated to the love between Venus and Adonis, three cantos are devoted to the description and celebration of this subject.

Allegory of taste, hearing and touch

JAN BRUEGHEL IL VECCHIO
(1568-1625)
e bottega di / and workshop of
PETER PAUL RUBENS
Allegoria del Gusto, dell'Udito e del Tatto
Allegory of Taste, Hearing and Touch
c. 1618-1620
Olio su tela / Oil on canvas

L'opera, insieme al suo pendant con l'Allegoria della Vista e dell'Olfatto, fu commissionata da Isabella di Borbone e giunse a Madrid nel 1623. In un interno principesco, compaiono le allegorie del tatto, dell'udito e del gusto disposte attorno a una tavola riccamente imbandita. Il tema dei cinque sensi rappresenta uno snodo centrale all'interno dell'Adone, dove nella prima parte dell'opera, dedicata agli amori tra Venere e Adone, ben tre canti sono dedicati alla descrizione e alla celebrazione di questo soggetto.

This work, along with its pendant, the Allegory of Sight and Smell, was commissioned by Isabella of Bourbon and reached Madrid in 1623. The allegorical figures of Hearing, Touch and Taste are positioned around a richly laid table within a princely interior. The theme of the five senses represents a key turning point within the Adone, in the first part of which, dedicated to the love between Venus and Adonis, three cantos are devoted to the description and celebration of this subject.

Self portrait as Bacchus, Caravaggio

Saint Jerome, Caravaggio

Saint Jerome Writing, also called Saint Jerome in His Study or simply Saint Jerome, is an oil painting by Italian painter Caravaggio

Saint Jerome, Caravaggio

Saint Jerome Writing, also called Saint Jerome in His Study or simply Saint Jerome, is an oil painting by Italian painter Caravaggio

Saint Jerome, Caravaggio

Saint Jerome Writing, also called Saint Jerome in His Study or simply Saint Jerome, is an oil painting by Italian painter Caravaggio

Ceiling in Borghese

Castel Sant'Angelo

Pizza withdrawal