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"New" Art from Ancient Rome

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/arts/design/torlonia-collection.html?action=click&module=Features&pgtype=Homepage

For Nigel - these works will be exhibited at the Capitoline in Rome though June 2021.

"For much of the last century, the Torlonia Collection, the largest collection of classical sculpture still in private hands, remained hidden to the world.

A private museum founded in 1875 to showcase the antique marbles amassed by Prince Alessandro Torlonia and his father in the tradition of noble families — like the Borghese, Barberini or Doria Pamphilj — was originally open only to a select public, and, after a few decades, not at all. Most scholars knew the 620 works — an assortment of Greek and Roman statues, busts, vases, sarcophagi and reliefs dating from the 5th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D. — only through the photographs in a catalog that was published in 1884.

Over time — including to safeguard the pieces during World War II — the collection was gradually moved into three large storerooms in Rome. As the years passed, the ancient treasures gathered layer upon layer of dust — and the mystique of the secreted collection grew."

Posted by
32749 posts

for folks who can't get through on the link could you please write a few words about what you have linked to?

Posted by
4573 posts

Nigel, it discusses the Torlonia Collection of ancient art that has been out of view for decades...split and hidden for protection during war time. They are from Prince Torlonia's private collection from 1860s.
The images of the collection are exquisite.

Google to see if you can find an accessible article.

Posted by
32749 posts

where is it being exhibited? For how long?

Posted by
1078 posts

I would love to see this!!!! I will be in Rome during June 2021, I hope the exhibit is still open at that time.
(this is all contingent on the vaccine being successful!)

Posted by
3812 posts

I am positive Mrs Povoledo may be the worst journalist in the western world.

Thanks to her piece now one of the biggest sobs in Rome's history, the so called "prince" who closed the museum in 1976 and tried to blackmail the City in the 90s, will be remembered as "the old chap who set-up the foundation because he was very attached to the marbles".

In 1979 the prince was sentenced to 3 years for endangering the Collection. The reason? He changed the Museum building into a residence for short stays (without asking the mandatory administrative authorization for buildings in central Rome) and then, only to make more money, he stacked all the sculptures in a basement. Prince of my...

Posted by
3245 posts

Thanks to her piece now one of the biggest sobs in Rome's history, the so called "prince" who closed the museum in 1976 and tried to blackmail the City in the 90s, will be remembered as "the old chap who set-up the foundation because he was very attached to the marbles".

That makes sense, Dario, if you read between the lines.

Nigel - I added some text.

Posted by
32749 posts

my oh my.. Great art and intrigue as well. What more could you hope for???

June may be a little early for me... too bad

Posted by
9570 posts

Dario, I appreciate very much the important context you provided !! Essential!!

Posted by
759 posts

The Times article notes the agreement to loan the works also includes an international tour (a very important aspect of the agreement according to the family- read into that what you will). No other venues established at this time- those plans interrupted by Covid. NOT all ancient. A large goat figure has been restored with a new head- by Bernini, so not a very recent restoration...