Galleria Borghese. General Catalogue: I. Modern Sculpture

The Galleria Borghese houses a remarkable collection of ancient and modern sculpture, with this volume dedicated to modern sculpture from the Late Renaissance to Baroque to Neoclassical. The introduction provides a history of the collection, including its creation by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 17th century and its sale to the Italian Republic in the 19th century. The entries include detailed information on the sculptures, attributions, restorations, and historical contexts. The catalogue also highlights the sale of Antique works of art to Napoleon, which led to the commission of ancient-inspired works. It concludes with a section on restoration, emphasizing the role of 16th- to 18th-century sculptors in maintaining and transforming the archaeological collection for the villa's display requirements.

Format: Hardback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 08 November 2022
Publisher: Officina Libraria

The Galleria Borghese is a remarkable museum that houses an exceptional collection of ancient and modern sculptures, all housed within a beautifully decorated villa. This particular volume, dedicated to modern sculpture (from the Late Renaissance to the Baroque to Neoclassical), serves as the inaugural installment of a comprehensive catalog of the entire collection. The introduction provides a historical narrative, tracing the origins of the collection from its inception by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in the 17th century to its eventual sale to the Italian Republic at the close of the 19th century. The entries are meticulously detailed, offering chronological information, new attributions, insights into restorations, and a thorough examination of the villa's inventory records. This comprehensive approach allows for a deeper understanding of the sculptures in their various historical contexts. Among the illustrious masterpieces showcased in the collection are works by renowned artists such as Algardi, Bernini, and Canova. Furthermore, the sale to Napoleon of numerous Antique works of art (now housed in the Louvre), played a pivotal role in commissioning works of ancient inspiration. These pieces are explored in a separate section, which delves into the concepts of copy and remake. The catalog concludes with a section dedicated to restoration, highlighting the crucial role played by 16th to 18th-century sculptors in maintaining and transforming the archaeological collection to align with the villa's display requirements.

Weight: 2977g
Dimension: 280 x 240 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788833671796