The
Gallery Borghese is an art gallery located in the gardens
of the Villa Borghese. The Villa Borghese houses a substantial
part of the Borghese Collection of paintings, sculpture and
antiquities which was begun by the Cardinal Scipione Borghese,
nephew of Pope Paul V.
Much of the sculpture at the Villa Borghese is the work of the Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Much of this work stands in the location for which it was commissioned. For myself, the highlight of the Villa Borghese is Bernini's Apollo and Daphne by Bernini. It stands in the third room, where it was intended to be, but has been rotated so that the figures face you as you enter. Originally, they had their backs to the door only revealing their form as the story as the visitor walked around them. The Abduction of Prosperine is an immense and energetic piece of work from a single piece of marble. The muscular figure of Hades contrasts with the feminine, struggling figure of Prosperine.
In twenty rooms on two floors, the Villa Borghese is compact. Entry is limited to 200 people every two hours. As tickets sell out fast, book in advance!
