Description: A great journey into art history to discover and to appreciate the absolute masterpieces of various epochs, as well as the opportunity to know the artists and the powerful patrons that contributed to their fame. In the splendid setting of Villa Borghese - an architectural masterpiece in itself - we will acquaint you with the life of Pope Paul V, his princely court and his nephew, Scipione, who played a fundamental role in the gallery's creation. Scipione was named cardinal, at the age of just 20, two months after his uncle's election.
Endowed with great artistic intuition, he summoned the greatest artists of the time, among them Bernini and Caravaggio, and in doing so, helped to launch the splendid era of the great Roman Baroque. He was also a highly selective and ruthless art collector, who purchased great masterpieces of antiquity. He began a collection that in the centuries has only enriched itself. To name just a few of the classical ones: the beautiful Artemis (a rare original by a Greek master from the 4th century BC.); Isis (2nd century BC.) in black marble; mosaics with gladiators (4th Century AD); the Dancing Satyr (2nd Century BC.); Bacchus (2nd Century AD) and the Hermaphrodite (1st century BC.). With this last piece comes all the fascinating tales this disturbing figure has aroused since ancient times.

From here we then turn to the Renaissance to fully enjoy of a new world and a new way of living and painting, that comprised new colours, figures, gestures and human details never before painted, thanks first and foremost, to the numerous works of art by Raphael, Perugino, Sodoma, Correggio, etc that the gallery contains. Obviously, the works of art by Bernini will play a central role. In the villa we can admire his splendid sculptures of Aeneas and Anchises, Truth, Apollo and Daphne, etc. and experience the visions, stories and legends behind them. There are beautiful works by Caravaggio, such as, Saint Jerome and a self-portrait in the guise of Bacchus that will help shed light on the great master of chiaroscuro, his adventurous life - to say the least, the murder he committed, and his great artistic talent.

The gallery also contains notable works of art from other epochs, such as, the beautiful Sybille by Domenichino, the Pieta by Rubens as well as works by Carracci, Pietro da Cortona, etc. Our tour provides a thorough and dynamic visit that allows you to fully enjoy the images with which the great artists of the past speak to us of themselves and of their epoch. It is designed to widen your perception of art, humanity and time. We recommend this tour after having already explored the city (for example our one day - Essence of Rome - or two days - Immersion in Rome) so as to have gained the necessary context in order to better place the various works of art of Villa Borghese in the historical periods and locations of this timeless city, and in so doing, help to enrich your humanistic and artistic experience. Obviously we will take care of the tickets for you.