Palazzo Barberini – Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica

The Barberini Palace (Palazzo Barberini) is a 17^th-century palace in Rome facing the Piazza Barberini. It houses the Rome’s National Gallery (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica). It was built in 1549 and occupied by the Sforza family. However, when Cardinal Alessandro Sforza had financial hardships, Maffeo Barberini purchased the building in 1625.

Three famous architects worked to create the palace: Carlo Maderno, Francesco Borromini, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who completed the works in 1633.

In 1953, the Barberini Palace became a museum and joined Galleria Corsini at the seat of Rome’s National Gallery. The collections of both Corsini Gallery and Barberini Palace include masterpieces such as “Allegory of Divine Providence” by Pietro da Cortona, “La Fornarina” by Raphael, “Judith and Holofernes” by Caravaggio, a bust of Urbano VIII by Bernini, and works from the 17^th and 18^th centuries from the collections of the Barberini and Corsini families.

Things to Know Before Visit the Barberini Palace

See also a Guide to Borromini’s Masterpieces in Rome.

What to See Inside – Top 43 Paintings

Rome’s National Gallery contains masterpieces like Murillo’s “Madonna and Child,” Filippo Lippi’s “Tarquinia Madonna” with baby Jesus, and artworks by Rubens, Van Dyck, Andrea del Sarto, Luca Giordano, Guercino, and others.

Below are the top 43 paintings that I recommend viewing at the Barberini Gallery:

1. Narciso by Caravaggio  – A poignant depiction of Narcissus captivated by his own reflection, showcasing Caravaggio’s masterful use of light and shadow.
2. Giuditta e Oloferne by Caravaggio  – A dramatic and intense rendering of Judith’s heroic act, highlighting Caravaggio’s signature realism and emotional depth.
3. La Fornarina by Raffaello Sanzio – An enchanting portrait of a young woman, believed to be Raphael’s lover, demonstrating his exquisite skill and sensitivity.
4. Allegoria della Divina Sapienza by Andrea Sacchi – A symbolic representation of divine wisdom, blending classical beauty with profound philosophical themes.
5. Il Trionfo della Divina Provvidenza by Pietro da Cortona – A grandiose fresco celebrating Pope Urban VIII, filled with intricate allegorical details and vibrant colors.
6. Ritratto di Enrico VIII by Hans Holbein il giovane – A powerful portrayal of the English king, capturing his commanding presence and regal attire.
7. Cristo e l’adultera by Tintoretto – A dramatic scene illustrating Christ’s mercy, characterized by dynamic composition and bold use of light.
8. Madonna Advocata by Anonymous XI secolo – A touching medieval depiction of the Virgin Mary, revered for its spiritual depth and simplicity.
9. Matrimonio mistico di Santa Caterina e santi by Lorenzo Lotto – A mystical scene showcasing Lotto’s rich color palette and detailed depiction of saints.
10. Annunciazione by Filippo Lippi – A serene and graceful portrayal of the Angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, exemplifying Lippi’s refined style.
11. Sacra famiglia con Santa Elisabetta, San Giovannino e un angelo by Orazio Borgianni – A tender depiction of the Holy Family, highlighting Borgianni’s delicate brushwork and attention to detail.
12. Ritratto di Urbano VIII by Gian Lorenzo Bernini – A lifelike bust of Pope Urban VIII, capturing the pontiff’s features with Bernini’s exceptional sculptural skill.
13. Santa Maria Maddalena by Piero di Cosimo – An expressive portrayal of Mary Magdalene, reflecting Piero di Cosimo’s unique approach to religious subjects.
14. Ritratto di Abbondio Rezzonico by Pompeo Batoni – A distinguished portrait that captures the elegance and status of Abbondio Rezzonico, showcasing Batoni’s mastery of portraiture.
15. Scalone quadrato by Gian Lorenzo Bernini – A remarkable architectural feature demonstrating Bernini’s innovative design and engineering prowess.
16. Scala elicoidale by Francesco Borromini – An architectural marvel featuring a spiraling design that exemplifies Borromini’s inventive style.
17. La Velata (vestale Tuccia) by Antonio Corradini – A captivating sculpture of a veiled woman, showcasing Corradini’s extraordinary skill in creating lifelike marble drapery.
18. Ritratto di Stefano IV Colonna by Bronzino – A dignified and refined portrait of Stefano IV Colonna, demonstrating Bronzino’s mastery of Mannerist portraiture.
19. Storie della Passione di Cristo by Giovanni Baronzio – A series of panels depicting key events from the Passion of Christ, reflecting Baronzio’s narrative clarity and vibrant color.
20. Tabernacolo portatile con la Pietà by Annibale Carracci e bottega – A compact yet richly detailed altarpiece, demonstrating Carracci’s classical style and narrative skill.
21. Adorazione dei pastori by El Greco – A striking and expressive rendition of the nativity scene, showcasing El Greco’s unique style and dramatic use of color.
22. Battesimo di Cristo by El Greco – An ethereal and dynamic portrayal of Christ’s baptism, reflecting El Greco’s distinctive elongated figures and spiritual intensity.
23. San Francesco in meditazione by Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi) – A contemplative and somber depiction of Saint Francis, highlighting Caravaggio’s mastery of chiaroscuro.
24. Donna con turbante by Ginevra Cantofoli – An evocative and sensitive portrait of a woman with a turban, capturing her grace and mystery.
25. San Filippo Benizi by Perugino (Pietro Vannucci) – A serene and devout depiction of Saint Philip Benizi, reflecting Perugino’s calm and balanced compositions.
26. Ritratto di Clelia Farnese by Jacopo Zucchi – A detailed and elegant portrait of Clelia Farnese, reflecting Zucchi’s refined technique and attention to detail.
27. Madonna con il Bambino e San Giovannino by Domenico Beccafumi – A serene and harmonious depiction of the Virgin and Child with Saint John, showcasing Beccafumi’s soft color palette and graceful composition.
28. Storie di Cristo by Giovanni da Rimini – A detailed and vibrant narrative of Christ’s life, showcasing Rimini’s storytelling through vivid imagery and color.
29. La visione del beato Amedeo Menez de Sylva by Pedro Fernández – A mystical scene depicting the vision of Blessed Amedeo Menez de Sylva, highlighting Fernández’s unique style.
30. La famiglia Quarantotti by Marco Benefial – An intimate portrayal of the Quarantotti family, reflecting Benefial’s skill in capturing familial relationships.
31. La Vergine e sant’Anna ammaestrano Gesù sullo Spirito Santo by Carlo Saraceni – A touching scene of the Virgin Mary and Saint Anne teaching Jesus, demonstrating Saraceni’s delicate and tender style.
32. Maddalena penitente by Guido Reni – A reflective and sorrowful depiction of Mary Magdalene, capturing Reni’s mastery of emotion and light.
33. Ritratto di Antonio Barberini jr by Carlo Maratti – A distinguished portrait of Antonio Barberini Jr., showcasing Maratti’s elegant and refined technique.
34. Madonna con il Bambino (Madonna Hertz) by Giulio Romano – A tender and intimate portrayal of the Madonna and Child, reflecting Romano’s dynamic and expressive style.
35. Venere che suona l’arpa (La Musica) by Giovanni Lanfranco – A captivating depiction of Venus playing the harp, showcasing Lanfranco’s skill in creating dramatic and sensual compositions.
36. Maddalena penitente by Guido Cagnacci – A poignant and dramatic portrayal of the penitent Magdalene, exemplifying Cagnacci’s intense emotionalism and skillful use of light.
37. Et in Arcadia ego by Guercino (Giovan Francesco Barbieri) – A contemplative and symbolic work, reflecting on mortality with Guercino’s characteristic clarity and elegance.
38. Madonna di Tarquinia by Filippo Lippi – A beautifully detailed and serene depiction of the Madonna, highlighting Lippi’s refined and delicate style.
39. Giove e Ganimede by Anton Raphael Mengs – A classical portrayal of Jupiter and Ganymede, showcasing Mengs’ mastery of neoclassical ideals and composition.
40. Nudo femminile di schiena by Pierre Subleyras – An elegant and sensuous study of a female nude from behind, capturing Subleyras’ skill in rendering the human form.
41. Veduta del Tevere a Castel Sant’Angelo by Gaspar van Wittel – A detailed and picturesque view of the Tiber River and Castel Sant’Angelo, highlighting van Wittel’s talent for landscape painting.
42. Veduta del Canal Grande a Venezia by Canaletto (Giovanni Antonio Canal) – A vibrant and detailed view of the Grand Canal in Venice, showcasing Canaletto’s precision and love for Venetian architecture.
43. Autoritratto by Artemisia Gentileschi – A powerful self-portrait capturing Gentileschi’s strength and determination, reflecting her unique place in art history.

Author: Kate Zusmann

I have lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every angle of Rome has its history, and I'm here to tell you about the most intriguing historical facts and city legends. :)

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