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The Galleria Borghese Brings Together Treviso's Annunciation and Titian's Masterpieces in an Unprecedented Dialogue
From October 20 through December 8, 2026, the Galleria Borghese hosts a singular encounter pairing the Annunciation, borrowed from Treviso Cathedral, with Titian’s works from its holdings, within an extensive autumn schedule merging ancient art, video in the contemporary realm, and digital media.
An Unprecedented Confrontation Centered on Titian in Rome
This autumn, the Galerie Borghèse in Rome initiates a significant cultural program. From October 20 through December 8, 2026, the Roman institution showcases "Titian. Dialogues Between Sacred and Profane: Galleria Borghese Meets the Annunciation from Treviso Cathedral", under the curation of Maria Giovanna Sarti. This novel project unites, on this occasion for the very first time, the master's renowned Annunciation, exceptionally lent by Treviso Cathedral, alongside Titian's masterpieces already held within the permanent collection of the Roman museum.
This visual confrontation highlights the ruptures and formal links that the Venetian master cultivated across holy and secular realms. Visitors encounter the immediate pairing of a religious piece originating in the Veneto region alongside Borghese collection treasures, exposing Titian’s stylistic breakthroughs in a novel way during this autumn display.
Intersecting Perspectives: Lectures on Caravaggio, Pasolini, and the Two Romes
Beyond displaying artworks, the Galleria Borghese hosts scholarly talks and study groups directed by Francesca Cappelletti. On October 26, 2026, between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, the institution will hold an international symposium named "The Two Romes in the (Early-)Modern Period. Diversity, Space, and Vision in Cross-Cultural Perspective". Moderated by Francesca Cappelletti and delivered wholly in English, this gathering unites specialists Alper Metin, Çiğdem Kafescioğlu, and Paolo Girardelli. They examine, through varied lenses, the parallels, links, and parallel evolutions that connect Rome and Istanbul between the 16th and 18th centuries.
On November 3, 2026, Tuesday, talks resume at 6:00 pm beneath the Galleria Borghese portico. Andrea Cortellessa and Francesca Cappelletti will jointly address the "Caravaggio and Pasolini. Narcissi and Diaphragms". These two researchers will explore the strong, gripping, and contradictory links between Caravaggio's artistic force and the poetic and visual world of Pier Paolo Pasolini.
Contemporary Metamorphoses: Isaac Julien and the Digital Experience
The Galleria Borghese's autumn season now includes a further extension of "Metamorphoses. Ovid and the Arts," a show that had already been extended through October 11. Central to this Ovidian focus is the 2025 video installation "All That Changes You. Metamorphosis" by Isaac Julien, a British film director and artist. Lorenzo Giusti curated the work, which runs from September 15 to October 25, 2026. Julien created this piece specifically for the Uccelliera pavilion, situated on the Galleria Borghese grounds. The work takes its inspiration from Giulio Romano's frescoes at Mantua's Palazzo Te, employing a moving image immersive language to reveal the core of myth.
To enrich contemplation of change and broaden views on heritage, the organization utilizes digital tools via "Metamorphosis Experience". This complimentary online project appears as an interactive site built by TuoMuseo, a global team focused on crafting novel cultural encounters. Established within the scope of digital innovation schemes financed through the NextGenerationEU Plan and by the Italian Ministry of Culture, the platform leads users through a narrative path. It borrows from the transformation themes present in the holdings, thus widening reach to fresh publics via modern mediums.
Educational Programs and Expanded Cultural Offerings
Diverse audiences benefit from mediation initiatives that strengthen this cultural programming. The Galleria Borghese provides accessible tours via "Galleria Borghese in LIS", providing the opportunity to explore the collections accompanied by a deaf guide using sign language. At the same time, the institution continues to stream animated stories online, including the fourth installment of the series titled "Wow, everything is changing!".
"Ovid on stage at Galleria Borghese" marked the season with a poetic tribute to Ovid, featuring three evening shows and unique late-night openings. This program featured a talk by Francesca Ghedini regarding tales of love and vengeance within the ancient poet’s writings. Collectively, these efforts boost the energy of the Roman museum location, prompting guests to explore its chambers, villa, and storage collections all season long.
Sources: news.google.com · galleriaborghese.cultura.gov.it