Borghese vs National Museum

Not the answer you want but both. The Borghese art is Renaissance and not made during the classical period, but It simply is the best of the best. The National Museum is not one museum but several. All of which are highly enjoyable. Your granddaughter is probably most interested in the statutes and busts inside the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme; the main branch of the National Museum buildings. Just make sure she doesn’t miss the third floor if she really wants to step back in time with a garden stroll.

Edit: besides “both” is your granddaughter looking for original pieces from the ancient world or modern (well Renaissance) versions of mythological figures? And, while not in her main interest point, the Borghese interior is a work of art in and of itself in terms of architectural details. I simply cannot imagine a trip to Rome without seeing both. Have your granddaughter also research the Villa of Livia fresco at the Palazzo Massimo (3rd floor). Beyond stunning.

I'd say the Borghese for mythology, and for overall artistic merit as well. The National Museum (at least the main one near Termini) is more about Roman history, more emperors than gods/goddesses. But the Borghese offers Venus, Diana, Apollo, Proserpina, Medusa, and many more.

I agree with Bob.

I absolutely love both, and have similar interests.

The Bernini sculptures of the mythology in a highly polished and super realistic "it must be real" way at the Borghese are completely different from the old and very old statues and heads at the National Museum, but they are both fabulous.

I agree - both.

And it seems Nigel has graciously left it to me to point out that any fan of classical statuary visiting Rome should include the Montemartini museum in their itinerary:
http://www.centralemontemartini.org/en/il_museo/storia_del_museo

not just because of the power-station setting and the lighter crowds, but also because it gives you another excuse to visit the updated/rebuilt old Testaccio market site now housing the Via Ostiense general shops that is at the same metro stop.

I also recommend the cafes there along Via Ostiense to give you a sense of what the locals frequent (and save you some euro, too)

I also know that this isn't what you want to hear but I'd vote for both as well, for reasons already given.

Definitely both. How old is she? (Just curious.)

We've been to the National Museum, and it is wonderfulm but the Borghese is in a class by itself. The Berninis bring me to tears or to my knees every time.

I'm not familiar with the Montemartini, but we're going to Rome next year...

There's a new series of short videos about the recent history of the Montemartini museum recorded during the shutdown this spring; the first episode is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lbSRQRViMw

This was a series of culture-from-home talks to keep everyone occupied while stuck at home!

Thank you all for your thoughts-Borghese for sure.
We are only there for 2.5 days but will try to get to the National as well - will make sure we do the third floor (onefastbob).

not myth but real - Livia's dining room at the National. Check out the walls - flowers and fruit, there is a photo in the Wiki article.

Part of Livia Drusilla's dowry she brought when she married the emperor Augustus, her second husband, in 39 BC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VillaofLivia

We absolutely fell in love with it and all it meant.

Hi Shelley in Borghese Gallery you can find the wonderful statues carved by Bernini so these are baroque statues, if she likes ancient roman statues the National museum will be perfect or even the Musei Capitolini.

My granddaughter want to see the marble statues of the Roman and Greek Gods (she loves mythology).

I hope you're still going to visit Rome.

For the first time in 50 years, 96 masterpieces of the (unfortunately private) Torlonia Collection will be on display:

http://www.museicapitolini.org/en/node/1006712

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/rome-to-reveal-hidden-torlonia-collection-of-roman-treasures.html

This is something so exceptional that I could force myself to take a train to Rome.

Borghese! The Bernini statues are a wonder. The Borghese limits visitors to a two hour time slot. But, that's just enough time to take it in without hurrying. Plus, the Borghese has great paintings and the building is a sight in itself. One of the best art museums in the world.

BBC did an art series with Sr. Wendy Beckett (deceased now). The BBC production highlights a couple of Borghese statues. DVD can be found on Amazon.

There is also a famous Bernini Statue at (pardon me here on spelling) Santa Maria della Vittore.
(I can look up an accurate spelling for you if you need it.)

Once again thank you- all for your input
Dario - I will see if we can make the exhibit to the Capitolini Museum for the Torlonia collection. We only have 2.5 days this time
in Rome so I will have to see if this is doable.

Dario
I forgot to mention that I did check both of the websites you sent me and the Torlonia collection sounds fascinating.