Fondazione Torlonia aims to preserve and promote this prestigious collection, recognised as the world’s most significant private assembly of Greek-Roman sculptures (All photos: Bvlgari)
The Torlonia marble collection, a treasure trove of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, is globally revered for its incomparable historical and artistic significance. Founded by Prince Alessandro Torlonia, the Fondazione Torlonia aims to preserve and promote this prestigious collection, recognised as the world’s most significant private assembly of Greek-Roman sculptures. Alongside this, the foundation also oversees Villa Albani Torlonia and together they form a “cultural heritage of the Family for humanity” to be cherished by future generations.
This precious private collection of ancient art is a remarkable assemblage of sarcophagi, busts and Greco-Roman statues. These works were acquired from Rome’s patrician families and excavation finds on the Torlonia estates, making it the mother of all collections that chronicles the history of antiquities collecting. Meticulously restored by the Torlonia Foundation with support from Bvlgari, the statues now grace the Louvre Museum in Paris, marking the first time these masterpieces have been exhibited outside of Italy.
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“Our privileged ties with the Torlonia Foundation date back to 2017, when Bvlgari contributed, as the principal sponsor, to the restoration of a series of sculptures that now counts over 100 statues from an exceptional private collection of ancient art, considered the most important in the world. We are proud that this artistic heritage, which we have helped to preserve, is being displayed for the first time outside Italy at the Louvre. This universal exhibition reminds us of the privilege we have to undertake cultural patronage initiatives of such magnitude, and demonstrates our commitment to giving back to ensure a long-term positive impact. It is this commitment that inspired us to create the Fondazione Bvlgari at the beginning of this year,” says Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bvlgari.
The exhibition will run until Nov 11 in the Denon Wing of the Louvre.
This article first appeared on July 29, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
