A vast timeline of art, spanning from ancient Roman works of the Imperial era to the modern installations of Dan Flavin, is on display at Rome’s Palazzo Barberini, home to the National Galleries of Ancient Art. The exhibition, titled “Arte e Collezionismo a Roma” (Art and Collecting in Rome), runs from today until September 23rd in its second edition.
The showcase features masterpieces such as “The Arsenal of Civitavecchia” (1668) by Viviano Codazzi and Filippo Lauri, the “Portrait of a Child” by Medardo Rosso—a pioneer of modern sculpture—as well as evocative works by Giacomo Balla, Alberto Savinio, and Renato Guttuso. Also on view are a “caryatid” by Amedeo Modigliani, a sketch by Antonio Canova, and pieces by esteemed 16th and 17th-century painters like Giovanni Battista Paggi, Bernardo Strozzi, and Cavalier d’Arpino.
The artworks are on loan from 63 Italian and international galleries, presenting items of significant historical and artistic value. The exhibition’s core mission is to foster comparison, research, and knowledge, presenting a journey rich with masterpieces already celebrated in art history and others that are previously unseen.
Alongside painting and sculpture, considerable space is dedicated to the decorative arts, highlighting Italy’s great antiquarian tradition.
Organized by the Associazione Antiquari d’Italia (Association of Italian Antiquarians), the event confirms its status as an international cultural and commercial gathering. It aims to position Rome at the forefront of the European antiquarian landscape, offering scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts an exposition rich with surprising curiosities and never-before-seen works. The event will also serve as a first opportunity for the sector to convene following a recent government measure that reduced the VAT rate on the sale and import of artworks in Italy from 22% to 5%.
Bruno Botticelli, president of the Associazione Antiquari d’Italia, stated: “’Arte e Collezionismo a Roma’ is not merely a trade fair: it is a cultural salon, a meeting place for scholars, collectors, and enthusiasts; an occasion to rediscover known masterpieces and admire works never seen before. Rome, a cradle of civilization and historical layers, is now at the center of an event that I am certain will help strengthen our city’s role in the European antiquarian panorama.”
Public opening hours are from September 20th to 23rd, with continuous access from 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM (closing early at 6:00 PM on September 23rd). A full-price ticket costs 15 euros, with a reduced ticket at 10 euros—plus advance booking fees for online sales. The ticket office will remain open until 8:00 PM. Reduced rates are available for children between 6 and 12 years old. Free admission is granted to people with disabilities and one accompanying companion each, Vip Card holders, and children from 0 to 5 years. Free entry is also extended to teachers and students enrolled in Fine Arts Academies or equivalent Institutes in the European Union, as well as to university teachers and students enrolled in degree courses (including specialized degrees, postgraduate programs, and PhDs) in the following faculties: Architecture, Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Education Sciences, or Letters and Philosophy with an archaeological or art history focus.
The “Arte e Collezionismo a Roma” exhibition is under the patronage of the City of Rome and the Lazio Region. Main sponsor: Liberty Global Group. Media partners: Antiquariato, Apollo, Arte, Artslife, Finestre sull’Arte, Il Giornale dell’Arte, and Urban Vision.