The Farnese in 16th-Century Rome. Origins and Glory of a Collection

THE GRANDEUR OF THE RENAISSANCE ON DISPLAY: THE FARNESE COLLECTION AT THE CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS

Over 140 masterpieces—including ancient sculptures, bronzes, paintings, drawings, manuscripts, gems, and coins—on loan from prestigious Italian and international institutions, are the centerpiece of an extraordinary exhibition hosted at Villa Caffarelli, part of the Capitoline Museums.

This exhibition offers a scientifically and culturally significant journey through one of the most important art collections of the Renaissance: the Farnese Collection.

The project reconstructs the golden age of the collection—from the early decades of the 16th century to the start of the 17th—highlighting its richness and symbolic value in the context of the Jubilee Year.

The collection was initiated by Alessandro Farnese, who became Pope Paul III in 1534, and was further expanded by his nephews, Cardinals Alessandro and Odoardo. The Farnese Collection became one of the most celebrated of its time—not only a treasure trove of art and archaeological finds, but also a powerful expression of prestige, meant to elevate the family’s status in papal Rome. It was an ambitious cultural vision aimed at reviving the splendor of antiquity while reinforcing the legacy of Pope Paul III and his vision of renewal.

The origins and expansion of the Collection coincided with a pivotal era in Rome’s history: the aftermath of the 1527 Sack of Rome. In response, Pope Farnese promoted a sweeping urban transformation of the city, commissioning Michelangelo to redesign Piazza del Campidoglio and relocate the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius in 1538.

The assembly of such an extraordinary group of artworks affirmed Palazzo Farnese as one of the capital’s must-see destinations, solidifying its role as a center for art and culture.

THE EXHIBITION PATH

The exhibition unfolds across twelve themed rooms, inviting visitors to discover the Farnese family’s history and their artistic and political legacy. Key sections include:

• The Makers of the Collection
• A Palace for “a Public School of the World”
• The Farnese and Antiquity: Passion and Prestige
• Palace Gallery
• Hall of the Philosophers
• Fulvio Orsini, a pivotal figure in the growth of the collection and the expansion of the Farnese Library
• The Camerino or Cardinal’s Cabinet
• The Rooms of Paintings and Drawings
• Two Collections, One Destiny, honoring the connection between the Farnese and Orsini families

A remarkable document—the will of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese—underscores the deep bond between the collection and the city of Rome. In it, he explicitly declares the collection inalienable, ensuring it would remain in Rome permanently.

The year 1600 symbolically marks the end of the Farnese Collection’s golden age, coinciding with the death of Fulvio Orsini, its last great curator and guardian.

EXHIBITION DETAILS

Curated by Claudio Parisi Presicce and Chiara Rabbi Bernard, the exhibition is promoted by Roma Capitale – Department of Culture, Capitoline Superintendency for Cultural Heritage, and organized by Zètema Progetto Cultura in collaboration with Civita Mostre e Musei.
Exhibition design and artistic direction by Studio Lucchi & Biserni.

The initiative is part of Measure M1C3 Inv.4.3 – Caput Mundi – Next Generation EU, supporting major tourism events under the program #AMANOTESA, Line of Intervention 334: “The Jubilee of Pilgrims”, aimed at enhancing Rome’s artistic and cultural heritage during the Jubilee Year.

USEFUL INFORMATION

📅 Dates
February 12 – May 18, 2025

📍 Venue
Capitoline Museums
Piazza del Campidoglio, 1 – Via delle Tre Pile, 1 – Rome

🌐 More info
Official website:
www.museicapitolini.org/mostra-evento/origini-e-splendori-della-collezione-farnese-nella-roma-del-xvi-secolo

🕘 Opening hours
Daily, from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM
(Last admission: one hour before closing)

🛑 Closed
May 1