THE BONCOMPAGNI LUDOVISI COLLECTION
25 marble works, paintings and drawings from Windsor, Eton College, etc.

Promoted by the Archaeological Superintendence of Rome Roma and Fondazione Memmo

December 05 1992 / April 30 1993

Roma – Palazzo Ruspoli (100,000 visitors)
Catalogue – Marsilio

The exhibition, promoted by the Archaeological Superintendence of Rome and Fondazione Memmo, showcases some of the most extraordinary pieces from the Boncompagni Ludovisi collection, whose new location, as part of the reorganization of the National Roman Museum, will be at Palazzo Altemps.

Celebrated and made famous for the variety and beauty of the ancient art sculpture groups, the collection is presented in a broad and meticulous selection of works.

The choice has been made based on the thematic focus of the exhibition, intending to emphasize the fortune of the collection and the influence it exerted on renowned artists such as Algardi and Bernini, Buzzi and Rondoni, who were called upon to carry out restorations.

Starting from the mid-16th century, ancient art collections consisted of fragmented works, and collectors began increasingly requesting integrative interventions. In this regard, the Boncompagni Ludovisi collection represents a unique and extremely interesting case.

Within the exhibition, in addition to the spectacular entrance that reproduces glimpses of the Ludovisi garden, there is an educational path that highlights the fortune of the collection over the centuries. Through the display of drawings, prints, paintings, and minor arts, it illustrates the influence it has exerted on European culture.

All the works in the Ludovisi Collection have been restored in recent years by the Archaeological Superintendence of Rome. Twenty-five of these have undergone new cleaning and interventions for presentation in this exhibition, also thanks to the support of Fondazione Memmo. Among these, we mention: ASCLEPIUS, DADOPHORUS, ARES, DIONYSUS, the WARRIOR, PAN and DAPHNE, SATYRS and NYMPHS, VENUS combing her hair, BOY STRANGLING A GOOSE.

In addition to the 25 masterpieces of the collection, there are paintings, engravings, objects, some portraits by Batoni featuring in the background the ARES restored by Bernini, drawings from Windsor, Eton College, and other European museums, small-format reproductions in terracotta and bronze, gemstone imprints documenting their popularity.