Off the beaten track, Rome, Rus in urbe
Tweet “The English burying-place is a green slope near the walls, under the pyramidal tomb of Cestius, and, as I think, the most beautiful and solemn cemetery I have ever beheld.” (Percy Bysshe Shelley) Nestling between Monte Testaccio, Rome’s ancient...
Art History, Fresco, High Renaissance, popes, Renaissance, Rome, Vatican
Tweet Negotiating the labyrinth of the Vatican Museums one runs the risk of running out of steam on the way to the Sistine Chapel. But do keep some energy in reserve for the Raphael rooms. In 1508, Raphael, then 26 years old, was called in by Julius II to decorate his...
Architecture, Art History, Rome
Tweet The Esposizione Universale di Roma planned for 1942 was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Fascist rule. Initially known as E42, the project had begun in 1936, with construction on the buildings of the “new Rome” underway by 1938. As it transpired...
Archeology, Art History, Capitoline Museums, Egypt, Roman Art, Roman sculpture, Rome, Undervisited Rome museums
Tweet A couple of weeks ago I was once again invited to be involved in Context Travel’s admirable series of Tours in the Public Interest. The focus of this year’s series is on museums which are regularly open to the public, but which get far fewer visitors than they...
Archeology, Art History, Augustus, Empire, Rome, Underground Rome
Tweet Last month saw a momentous anniversary of the sort that doesn’t happen often; on the 19 August it was 2000 years exactly since the death of Augustus, Rome’s first emperor. Much hand-wringing was employed over Rome’s lack of festivities, and it...
Archeology, Art History, Esquiline, Greek Sculpture, National Roman Museum, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Quirinal, Rome
Tweet Right by Rome’s Termini central station is one of my favourite museums of ancient Roman art, Palazzo Massimo alle Terme (home to these spectacular Roman frescoes). Palazzo Massimo is part of the National Roman Museum which has four locations (can a museum have...
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