Star artworks at Rome’s Palazzo Doria Pamphilj • Art de Vivre
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Star artworks at Rome’s Palazzo Doria Pamphilj

5 minutes to read
Mar 02, 2023
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Rome’s Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, the city’s largest private collection and one of Europe’s most fascinating art-filled palaces, is home to 650 stupendous works, including masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian and Velázquez. The family seat, which dates from 1505, is nestled in Via del Corso behind a porticoed courtyard and has 1000 rooms. Here are five of the most dazzling masterpieces you’ll find here.

Courtyard of the Doria Pamphilj Gallery in RomeCourtyard of the Doria Pamphilj Gallery in Rome © Shutterstock

The Velvet Room: Beautiful marble busts

The Velvet Room: Beautiful marble bustsMarble bust of Roman patron Benedetto Pamphilj by Alessandro Algardi

Decked out in rich, red Genoese wallpaper that dates back to the 17th century, the Velvet Room features renowned Italian sculptor Alessandro Algardi’s impressive marble bust of Roman patron Benedetto Pamphilj wearing an intricate ruff. Above him there’s a painting by Ventura Lamberti, titled ‘Narciso alla Fonte.’ Another bust created by Algardi depicts Pope Innocent X, looking stern and powerful, his head tilted downwards. Hagar and Ishmael, attributed to Mattia Preti, and the Sacrifice of Isaac by Pasquale Chiesa, are among other masterpieces lining the walls.

Guido Reni: ‘A fight between putti and amorini’

Putti fighting by Guido Reni A fight between putti and amorini by Guido Reni

This oil on canvas (c. 1625) attributed to Guido Reni — the most renowned artist in 17th century Italy, is among many stunning works you can see in Aldobrandini Gallery (First Wing) and represents a class struggle between the plebeians and aristocrats. Reni is said to have created this work to thank Marchese Facchinetti for stopping him from being imprisoned after a confrontation with the Spanish Ambassador.

Caravaggio's ‘Penitent Mary Magdalene’ and ‘Rest on the Flight to Egypt’

Penitent Mary Magdalene by Caravaggio Penitent Mary Magdalene by Caravaggio

Also lining the walls of the Aldobrandini Gallery are two of the greatest artworks in history created by Caravagio: Penitent Mary Magdalene (1594–95) and Rest on the Flight to Egypt (c. 1597). The former was created early on in the Baroque artist’s career and cinematically depicts a scene from the 13th-century Golden Legend by Italian chronicler and archbishop of Genoa, Jacobus de Voragine. Mary Magdalene — the Bible's alleged sex worker —  is depicted mystically, sitting on a chair slouching with her head down. Her hands are clasped, and there are broken pearls on the floor beside her, as she leaves behind a life society considered overindulgent and immoral. Caravaggio’s other masterpiece on display here, ‘Rest on the Flight to Egypt’, narrates a famous religious theme in the history of art: The Holy family fleeing to Egypt to save the Christ Child following a warning by an angel, which in Caravaggio’s idyllic painting is playing the violin. It’s a beautiful artwork you won’t want to miss seeing in the flesh.

Rest on the Flight into Egypt by CaravaggioRest on the Flight into Egypt by Caravaggio

Diego Velasquez’s portrait of Pope Innocent X

Portrait of Pope Innocent X by Diego Velasquez Portrait of Pope Innocent X by Diego Velasquez

Diego Velasquez’s portrait Pope Innocent X, painted between 1649 and 1650, is perhaps the finest work at the Galleria Doria Pamphilj (the gallery considers it the “masterpiece” of the collection) and there is also a funny story behind it: When the pontiff saw the portrait Velasquez had done of him, he is said to have exclaimed "Troppo Vero!" (‘too true!’) and ordered to have it hidden away from the public. Unlike the Gian Lorenzo Bernini busts depicting him, he is portrayed realistically. The work is also symbolic since it was created during a turmoil in international politics and inspired Francis Bacon's 'Screaming Pope' — a distorted version of Velaquez’s artwork. 

 

Doria Pamphilj Gallery
Via del Corso, 305, 00186 Rome, Italy
Open daily 9am -7pm

 

Credits for the Main photo: Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Caravaggio (1597) © Wikipedia Commons

Photo credits: © Wikipedia Commons

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