A great collection of ancient sculpture

The Ludovisi collection is the heart of Palazzo Altemps and one of the most important groups of ancient sculpture ever assembled in Rome. It was born in the 17th century out of the passion of Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi, nephew of Pope Gregory XV, who brought together Greek and Roman statues of the highest value for his Roman villa. Today part of that collection is on display at Palazzo Altemps, the seat of the National Roman Museum / Museo Nazionale Romano devoted to the history of art collecting.

Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi

Catapulted to prominence when his uncle became pope in 1621, Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi was a great patron and collector. Within a few years he gathered an extraordinary number of ancient sculptures, many of them restored and completed by the finest artists of the day, in keeping with the Baroque taste for "finishing" the antique. His collection became famous across Europe.

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The masterpieces of the collection

Among the most celebrated works on display at Palazzo Altemps:

  • The Ludovisi Throne, a 5th-century BC Greek original depicting the birth of Aphrodite.
  • The Ludovisi Gaul (the dying Gaul), a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original.
  • The Ludovisi Ares, restored by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
  • The great Ludovisi sarcophagus, with the battle between Romans and barbarians.
  • The colossal Ludovisi Juno/Hera, which Goethe called his "first love" in Rome.

The Baroque taste for the antique

The collection also reveals how the 17th century looked at antiquity: statues were often restored and completed with new parts, and the great sculptors of the era, such as Bernini, put their art at the service of restoration. That is why Palazzo Altemps is not only a museum of ancient art, but also of the history of art collecting and taste.

Why see it

The Ludovisi collection lets you admire Greek originals and Roman masterpieces in an intimate, refined setting, far from the crowds of the larger museums. It is a must for anyone who loves classical sculpture. For a closer look at the works, see what to see at Palazzo Altemps.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ludovisi collection? One of Rome's most important groups of ancient sculpture, assembled in the 17th century by Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi and partly on display at Palazzo Altemps.

Who was Ludovico Ludovisi? A 17th-century cardinal and patron, nephew of Pope Gregory XV, who gathered an extraordinary collection of Greek and Roman sculptures.

Which is the most important work? The Ludovisi Throne, a 5th-century BC Greek original with the relief of the birth of Aphrodite, is considered the masterpiece of the collection.

What does Bernini have to do with the collection? Gian Lorenzo Bernini restored the Ludovisi Ares, a testament to the Baroque taste for completing and finishing ancient statues.

Where is the collection located? At Palazzo Altemps, near Piazza Navona, one of the four seats of the National Roman Museum / Museo Nazionale Romano.

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Article #642 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026