Art Museums I Toured In Rome: What You Cannot Miss

My study abroad course was structured around my Metaphysics class. If you are unfamiliar with this branch of philosophy, well, it attempts to investigate the nature of reality and basically everything beyond the material world. Super specific, I know. Questions we were encouraged to ponder throughout our trip were what impact beauty has on our lives and how a culture’s appreciation of beauty translates into their customs and beliefs. I found that the emphasis Italian society puts on the preservation of art, history, and architecture reassured me that if we were created simply for economic productivity, there would be no inner fulfillment gained from carrying out activities not intended to gain profit; it is through creative outlets such as writing or drawing or singing where our humanness is experienced in its purest state. My blog is a pretty obvious example of this. I don’t make a cent from writing. However, it feeds my appetite for beauty and creates a sense of harmony in my life. Living in a place that values utility above beauty adversely affects those who live there; you begin to neglect the parts of you that fall beyond the scope of measurable productivity since art transcends such arbitrary and black-and-white quotas. 

While I don’t encourage us all to become starving artists, you may find it helpful to reflect on beauty's role in your life and dedicate more moments to appreciating and exploring that beauty. One way to do this is to visit art museums. There is no better place to contemplate deep philosophical questions than in a Roman art museum. Here is a list of museums I visited and some must-see artworks that prove beauty makes life worthwhile. 

Galleria Doria Pamphilj 

The Galleria Doria Pamphilj differs from typical art museums in that it is one of the largest privately owned art collections in Rome. Unlike the MOMA, all the artwork hung on the walls and painted onto the ceilings once belonged to the Papal Nobel family of Pope Innocent X. The structure is one of the many beautiful palazzos where the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi, and Aldobrandini families lived and went about their daily routines. The intricate moldings, velvet wallpaper, and collection of over 400 paintings embody the rich Baroque era, celebrating extravagance and fine craftsmanship. Much of the artwork embraces biblical themes, such as Penitent Magdalene and Rest on the Flight into Egypt, painted by Caravaggio. Additionally, the Sala Del Pussino is ornately decorated entirely with landscapes commissioned by Gaspard Dughet. Some of my favorite paintings include Maestro Jacomo’s collection of candlelight images, Lotta di Putti, by Guido Reni, and Natura morta di Fiori, frutta ed animli, by Jan Van Kessel. What I found the most intriguing is that the Lotta di Putti, or The Fighting Cherubs, symbolizes class struggle and how instinct will defeat rationality, as explained by our tour guide. I also must note that Van Kessel’s meticulous food painting reminds me of the modern practice of “Phone Eats First.” Overall, Galleria Doria Pamphilj should be on everyone’s “must-see” list!   

Palazzo Barberini 

Palazzo Barberini was my favorite art museum of the bunch. In contrast to modern buildings that utilize very angular designs and minimalist styles, the architecture of the Palazzo Barberini is much more extravagant. It was once the home of the Barberini noble family during the early 1600s, who had much influence in Rome. Scattered around the city, if you spot a bee engraved into the architecture, just know they represent the Barberini family influence. The arched windows and carved decorations harmonize effortlessly with the collective style and force the viewer to stay curious about what to expect next, a typical quality of the Baroque style. Standing at the entrance, the unexpecting viewer can see through the structure all the way to the backyard gardens. As you enter the palazzo, two curved staircases appear as if by magic, revealing an additional grand element to be savored and appreciated. Aside from the building itself, the museum holds some of the most famous paintings in Rome. A handful of notable titles include Judith Beheading Holofernes by Caravaggio, La Fornarina by Raphael, and Allegoria della Divina Sapienza by Andrea Sacchi. The museum catalogs the artwork chronologically, so you can follow the progression of artistic style throughout history. For the art enthusiasts out there, the Palazzo Barberini embodies a vast collection that will surely impress.     

Galleria Borghese

The Borghese Museum is one of the most famous on the list. Their selection of sculptures and mythological artwork are significant attractions, setting the Borghese apart from the previous museums I attended. The Borghese contains the most extensive collection of Bernini sculptures in the world, objectively the most impressive and animated I have ever seen. My personal favorite pieces include Apollo e Dafne and Ratto di Proserpina by Bernini, Dama col Liocorno (The Young Woman with a Unicorn) by Raphael, and, of course, La Casccia di Diana (Diana Hunting) by Domenichino. The Young Lady with a Unicorn was interesting because, at a previous gallery, my class saw a Noah’s Ark painting with unicorns. I am aware that unicorns are not real; however, the recurring unicorn imagery raises many unanswerable questions regarding their existence. Perhaps Raphael knew something we don't.

Diana Hunting is also a fascinating piece, reminiscent of scenes from the Wonder Woman franchise. Diana and her nymphs are seen hunting “peeping Toms” who threaten the sanctity of their seemingly Edenic paradise. Bows and arrows in hand, they defend their feminine land with grace and vigor. It's a powerful piece and a pretty cool namesake, if I do say so myself.      

Villa Farnesina 

The Villa Farnesina is amongst the lesser-known attractions; however, I refuse to gatekeep. A friend and classmate of mine completed her final project on the Villa Farnesina, so my class was lucky enough to enjoy a fruitful private tour led by her. The home, dating back to the Renaissance era, is surrounded by a serene garden lined with glowing citrus trees. I encourage anyone visiting during the warmer months to see the Villa Farnesina, simply walk through the garden, and smell the vibrant oranges and lemons. The most famous occupants were the Farnese family, a prominent and wealthy dynasty during the 1500s that spurred both controversy and success during their time. The Farnesa’s family name to fame was Alessandro, who became Pope Paul III, and his sister, Giulia, mistress of Pope Alexander VI. The home is adorned with ceiling frescos and murals completed by some of the most renowned Renaissance artists, including Raphael, Baldassare Peruzzi, Il Sodoma, and Sebastiano del Piombo. The main bedroom features a mural depicting Alexander the Great in The Marriage of Alexander and Roxanne, and it feels like a scene taken out of history. From the floors to the ceiling, this home was crafted with an admiration for beauty. 

The most sentimental part of the villa is a plaque in the garden, translated from Latin, which reads:

“For you who come here, what may seem ugly to you is beautiful to me: if you like it, stay a while, if you don’t, then take your leave; either way, thank you.”

This mindset should be adopted by us all and sums up the lessons learned from my Metaphysics course. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, and recognizing beauty is an entirely personal experience; what speaks to one may not speak to others. Regardless, we should respect what incites passion in those around us instead of viewing the world through an over-critical and cynical eye. I hope you all get to experience beauty in the way Rome allowed me to. Very rarely does one experience such an eye-opening, life-changing trip that completely resuscitates one’s desire to live intentionally and abundantly.