Sarcophagus Lid with Reclining Couple, second half of 2nd century CE.
Photo: © Torlonia Foundation. Courtesy of Bulgari and the Art Institute of Chicago
Roman Sculptures from Storied Torlonia Collection Make U.S. Debut
As a major patron of Fondazione Torlonia, Bulgari collaborated on the celebration of the “Myth & Marble” exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago
In the dimly lit tucked-away rooms of the Torlonia Laboratories, it seemed as though the large-scale ancient sculptures were poised to come alive. Now, following meticulous restoration efforts led in part by Bulgari, 58 of those ancient figures—and the important stories they tell—have crossed the Atlantic for the very first time.
It was a monumental journey orchestrated by The Torlonia Foundation, the Italian government, and the Art Institute of Chicago, and marks the first time the works will be viewed outside of Europe. This week, “Myth & Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection,” opened with an exquisite soirée organized by Bulgari, which has supported the restoration of over 100 statues from the collection as part of a commitment to cultural projects and artistic patronage.
”Statue of Cupid and Psyche,“ second half of 2nd century CE. Photo: © Torlonia Foundation. Courtesy of Bulgari and the Art Institute of Chicago
Sculpted 2,000 years ago, the marbles feel as relevant in the contemporary wing of the Art Institute of Chicago as they must have felt in Rome after having been freshly carved. Curators Lisa Çakmak and Katie Raff create a new vocabulary to help these works speak, and the stories they tell are highly relevant to our days: the consequence of lineage, the soft power of women, the eloquence of ideal forms.
“The Romans lived in a visually saturated world, and so do we” says Lisa Çakmak explaining that the use of images as symbols of power have endured over time. Portraits of emperors are grouped according to their dynastic affiliation. Even if they are not related by blood, the portraits of Hadrian and his appointed successor Antonio Pious are sculpted to look similar—they are rocking the same frock and beard style. All of this is intentional, these highly politicized images serve a clear purpose: the promotion of stability and prosperity through dynastic succession. The emperors are exhibited next to their wives, able political strategists themselves.
"Myth & Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection." Photo: © Torlonia Foundation. Courtesy of Bulgari and the Art Institute of Chicago
The exhibition also highlights the entertaining provenance histories that accompany these phenomenal artworks. Alexander and Giovanni Torlonia, the collection’s founders, bought many pieces from the Giustinisnis, one of Rome’s most famed families. Including one of their chef-d’œuvres: a life-size marble goat with an ancient body and a modern head. Modern in this context means the 17th century—Bernini carved it, Rome’s most eminent Baroque sculptor. Detailed captions accompany the viewer in these starling discoveries. “These pieces have led a lot of life and they do not exist unchanged,” adds Çakmak.
“Educating the public about the these important works is a key part of our job. We are seeking to bring these sculptures closer to a global public,” says Carlotta Loverini Botta, Director of the Torlonia Foundation. “The end goal of our mission is to establish a museum in Rome to showcase the 622 pieces that make up the collection on a permanent basis,” adds Alessandro Poma Murialdo, the foundation’s president.
"Myth & Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection." Photo: © Torlonia Foundation. Courtesy of Bulgari and the Art Institute of Chicago.
It’s a long way ahead, but the latest success is encouraging: at the Louvre, a different selection of the marbles was the most visited exhibition of 2024 with a blockbuster 738,000 visitors.
By showing that global collaborations with institutions from source countries are possible, the Art Institute of Chicago is setting new standards as to how ancient art can be experienced. A symposium of scholars from all over the world planned for later in the spring will make the narratives of this exhibition resonate even wider—and contribute to the variety of conversations that these statues stimulate as they travel around the world.
Hervé Perrot, Bulgari's North America President. Photo: Courtesy of Bulgari and the Art Institute of Chicago
The exhibition was welcomed to Chicago in an elegant soiree hosted by Bulgari. Photo: Courtesy of Bulgari and the Art Institute of Chicago
“Myth & Mable” opens to the public on March 15. Following its debut at the Art Institute of Chicago, the exhibition will travel to the Kimball Museum of Art in Dallas and the Montreal Museum of Fine Art.
Cover: Sarcophagus Lid with Reclining Couple, second half of 2nd century CE.
Photo: © Torlonia Foundation. Courtesy of Bulgari and the Art Institute of Chicago
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