The 11 must-see artworks at the Borghese Gallery
Quick answer
The must-see works at the Borghese Gallery are Bernini's Apollo and Daphne, Rape of Proserpina and David, Canova's Pauline Bonaparte, Caravaggio's David with the Head of Goliath, Raphael's Deposition and Titian's Sacred and Profane Love. All fit in the 2-hour visit.
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Sculpture on the ground floor
- 1
Ground floor
Apollo and Daphne (Bernini, 1622–25)
The exact instant of transformation: Daphne turns to laurel just as Apollo catches her. This is the work that established Bernini as a sculptor.
- 2
Ground floor
The Rape of Proserpina (Bernini, 1621–22)
Technique at its limit: Pluto's hand sinks into Proserpina's marble flesh. Bernini was 23.
- 3
Ground floor
David (Bernini, 1623–24)
Unlike the serene Renaissance David, this hero is mid-action. The tense face is said to be the artist's self-portrait.
- 4
Ground floor
Aeneas, Anchises and Ascanius (Bernini)
One of his first major works, with three ages of man in a single block. It shows Scipione Borghese's ambition as a collector.
- 5
Ground floor
Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix (Canova)
A scandal in its day: Napoleon's sister had herself portrayed almost nude. The marble cushion looks soft.
- 6
Ground floor
Truth Unveiled (Bernini)
A late sculpture Bernini never sold, kept by his family until it joined the collection. It shows the artist reflecting on time and truth.
Caravaggio and the picture gallery
- 1
Ground floor
David with the Head of Goliath (Caravaggio, 1609–10)
Caravaggio painted his own aged face on the severed head, a plea for pardon sent to Scipione Borghese.
- 2
Ground floor
Boy with a Basket of Fruit (Caravaggio)
An early Roman work with a still life so real it seems you could touch it.
- 3
Upper floor
The Deposition (Raphael, 1507)
A young Raphael blends Michelangelo's monumentality with the emotion of a Pietà.
- 4
Upper floor
Sacred and Profane Love (Titian, c. 1514)
An enigma historians have debated for centuries: which of the two women is earthly love?
- 5
Upper floor
Danaë (Correggio)
A sensual, delicate mythological scene: Zeus becomes a shower of gold to visit Danaë.
Seeing beyond the 11
If you have minutes left, look at the frescoed ceilings and mosaic floors. And to know what you are seeing in any room, point AnyArt at the work and hear its story instantly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous work in the Borghese Gallery?
Bernini's Apollo and Daphne, followed by The Rape of Proserpina and Caravaggio's David with the Head of Goliath.
How many Caravaggios are in the Borghese Gallery?
Six paintings, the largest concentration of his work in a single museum.
Where is Canova's Pauline Bonaparte?
On the ground floor, in one of the entrance salons.
Can you see everything in one visit?
The highlights, yes, in 2 hours. Seeing everything in detail would need a second visit.
What is on the upper floor?
The picture gallery, with paintings by Raphael, Titian, Correggio, Bellini and Antonello da Messina.