The National Roman Museum in Palazzo Altemps

The National Roman Museum in Palazzo Altemps

Ares Ludovisi

The National Roman Museum in Palazzo Altemps

The National Roman Museum, home to one of the world's largest and most important collections of classical antiquities, was founded in 1889 within the Baths of Diocletian. Over time, it acquired prestigious collections from noble Roman families and artifacts unearthed during the modernization of Rome when it became the capital.

In addition to its original location, the museum expanded to include Palazzo Massimo, the Crypta Balbi, and, notably, Palazzo Altemps.

Palazzo Altemps, the result of 16th and 17th-century renovations of earlier structures, was transformed into a museum with significant technical challenges. These included installing invisible heating systems and reinforcing the floors to support the weight of the artworks. Its halls, which opened to the public gradually until 2009, house the renowned 17th-century Ludovisi collection.

This collection's arrangement evokes the typical display of ancient Roman noble collections and highlights the historical interest in classical sculpture.

Notable Works in the Altemps Collection

Palazzo Altemps exhibits several sculptures of exceptional value:

Ludovisi Ares

This statue, formerly known as "Mars at Rest," was long considered a Roman copy of a Greek original attributed to the school of Lysippus, and Winckelmann called it "the most beautiful Mars of antiquity." However, more recent research (since 1989) suggests that the Ludovisi Ares is actually a statue of Achilles, part of a sculptural group by Scopas Minor located in the Temple of Neptune in the Circus Flaminius. In this case, it would be an original Hellenistic work from the 2nd century BCE. Its high quality was recognized as early as the 17th century, leading to Gian Lorenzo Bernini being commissioned for its restoration in 1622.

Bernini restored the head and arms of Eros, as well as Achilles' right hand and foot and the hilt of his sword. To support this modern hypothesis, a figure of Thetis enthroned, a possible 2nd-century CE copy of the original Thetis from the Temple of Neptune described by Pliny, is displayed alongside the Ares-Achilles.

Hermes Loghios

This imposing statue is a Roman marble copy of a Greek bronze original from the 1st century CE. It's identified as Hermes, the messenger of the gods, due to his characteristic winged cap and oratorical gesture (hence the name "Loghios," meaning "eloquent in speech").

The right arm, extended forward in a typical orator's pose, was restored in 1631 by the Bolognese sculptor Alessandro Algardi. Its anatomical forms and style suggest a Greek origin around 450 BCE, possibly attributed to the school of Phidias.

Pouring Satyr

This nude young man with pointed ears and an ivy wreath is a satyr from Dionysus' retinue. An ancient restoration, dating back to at least the late 16th century, re-integrated the statue's arms, imagining a cluster of grapes and a drinking horn.

This statue is a fine Roman copy from the 2nd century CE of a bronze work by Praxiteles, his "Pouring Satyr," created in his youth for an honorary monument in the Street of Tripods in Athens. Praxiteles' original likely depicted a satyr pouring a drink from a jug into a cup.

Great Ludovisi Sarcophagus

Discovered in 1621, this monumental Italian marble sarcophagus originally bore traces of polychromy and gilding, which were later removed by an 18th-century cleaning. The front is carved in high relief with a very lively battle scene between Romans and barbarians, organized into three superimposed registers: wounded and fallen figures at the bottom, the furious hand-to-hand combat in the center, and the heads of victorious Roman commanders at the top, with the deceased prominently featured in the middle. The young general depicted, with features similar to Herennius Etruscus, son of Emperor Decius (who died in 251), is shown in a triumphant gesture.

The surface is densely packed with fully sculpted figures, creating a visual effect of great dynamism and the clamor of battle.

The National Roman Museum in Palazzo Altemps offers a deep dive into classical art, showcasing invaluable works and providing insights into restoration techniques and historical interpretations.