© Galleria Borghese / ph. Mauro Coen.
After over a year of renovation, the Jacquemart-André Museum is back with an exhibition sure to delight lovers of Italy. While undergoing its own renovation, the renowned Galleria Borghese brings some of its finest masterpieces to the Parisian museum for an exhibition running until the end of the year. This is a rare opportunity to discover Italian treasures that seldom leave their homeland.
The Borghese Family: A Clerical Dynasty with a Rogue Side
Scipione Borghese was a fascinating figure in Roman history. As the nephew of Pope Paul V and a cardinal in the 17th century, his passion for art led him to amass an impressive collection within a palace reminiscent of ancient Roman luxury villas. Today, this villa still stands proudly in the Borghese Gardens, where visitors can admire Scipione’s collection, which has grown through the contributions of his heirs.
Inside the gallery, hundreds of statues and paintings from Antiquity to the Renaissance are on display. While many of these works were purchased, Scipione also acquired pieces through less than legal means. One infamous case saw him imprison the painter Le Cavalier d’Arpin under false accusations, allowing him to seize 105 of the artist's paintings. As for Raphael's The Deposition, Scipione sent a group of criminals to a convent in Perugia to steal the Renaissance altarpiece, traumatizing the nuns in the process. Despite these questionable methods, the result is an exceptional collection featuring art from all over Italy.
40 Treasures from Across Italy
No need to travel all the way to Rome to admire these masterpieces (though we recommend it, and you can follow our guide to Rome when you're ready)! The Jacquemart-André Museum has secured 40 treasures from the Galleria Borghese, a rare privilege, as the Italian museum seldom lends its works. The exhibition begins with four sculptures by Bernini, including a bust of Pope Paul V and the stunning bronze Neptune and a Dolphin, featuring his only known self-portrait.
As you move through the other rooms, the wonders continue. Masterpieces by some of the greatest Renaissance and Baroque artists fill the space. Botticelli’s Madonna and Child with the Infant St. John the Baptist and Six Angels, his largest tondo (round painting), commands an entire wall. Nearby, Raphael’s Lady with a Unicorn, a symbol of his innovative genius, captivates passersby. The exhibit also features two works by Titian, Caravaggio’s Boy with a Basket of Fruit, portraits by Antonello da Messina, and numerous pieces by Veronese. Our favorite part? The room dedicated to love and Venus, showcasing works by the great masters: a pre-1517 copy of Leda and the Swan by Leonardo da Vinci, and Venus Blindfolding Cupid by Titian—one of Scipione Borghese's earliest acquisitions, revealing his exceptional taste for rare masterpieces.
Masterpieces of the Galleria Borghese, on view until January 5, 2025. Online booking available.
© Galleria Borghese / ph. Mauro Coen and Luciano Romano.
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