Audio Guide Details
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Product Type
- Audio Guide
- Venues
-
- Borghese Gallery
- The Rape of Proserpina
- Apollo and Daphne
- Sacred and Profane Love
Preview
Borghese Gallery and Museum Audio Guide
The Rape of Persephone
Aeneas and Anchises
The Sacred and Profane Love by Titian
Photos & Highlights
Audio Guide Description
- Dodge the crowds as you learn which masterpieces to slow down for and the meaning behind each from an art historian
- Hit play together and stroll the city or wander solo, but always with an expert in your ear as your personal guide
Borghese Gallery and Museum is a treasure trove of some of the world's greatest artworks. On this Borghese Gallery audio guide with Context Travel expert Cecilia Martini, this maestro of Medieval and Renaissance art will unravel the spellbinding tale of how Cardinal Scipione Borghese accumulated the magnificent art collection that blossomed into the famous gallery.
Starting outside the museum, you'll learn how one cardinal's vision birthed the "Museum of the Universe" – a constellation of modern and ancient art, botanical wonders, and creatures that fueled the imaginations of musicians, poets, and artists alike. You'll be guided through various rooms within the gallery and shown specific pieces. You'll hear about the artists behind the pieces as well as the styles involved. Cecilia will show you how ancient myths and literature were the beating heart of Italian art from the Renaissance onwards. She'll help you decipher the enigmatic symbols and profound meanings woven into masterpieces by luminaries like Domenichino, Caravaggio, Bernini, Raphael, and Titian.
On this self-paced audio guide tour of Borghese Gallery, you'll:
• Lose yourself in Canova's masterpieces and learn about the Neoclassical movement, which was based on the concept of ideal beauty and harmonious perfection, without a hint of excess
• See the significance and importance of Vraisemblance art, a style so lifelike it blurs the line between art and reality
• Witness the rise of the young Bernini, the revolutionary inventor of Baroque art, who infused sculptures with the three main elements that dominated all of his artwork: movement, drama and vraisemblance
• Discover the dramatic narrative of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's masterpieces, like the compelling Rape of Persephone, delving deep into human emotions
• Peer into Caravaggio's world, in which he painted ordinary-looking people to go against the idealized beauty of traditional Italian painting
• Interpret the layers of meaning hidden within Raphael‘s renowned works, like Portrait of a Young Woman with Unicorn and The Deposition of the Cross
• Find out how Domenichino's role as an artist wasn‘t to depict the world as it is, with all its defects and dramas, but to filter reality to show the perfect harmony behind it
By the end of this artistic odyssey, you'll be able to decode the secrets and symbolism woven into these timeless masterpieces. Prepare to leave with an enriched understanding of the world's most significant art pieces, sparking a newfound appreciation for the boundless depths of artistic expression!
The Borghese Gallery and Museum is open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM except on Mondays, and the last entrance is at 5:30 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Tickets and time reservations are mandatory to visit the museum, and they sell out fast so you will need to purchase your ticket in advance of your visit. Admission tickets can be purchased here. Each visitor will receive a two-hour slot to visit the Borghese Gallery.
Starting outside the museum, you'll learn how one cardinal's vision birthed the "Museum of the Universe" – a constellation of modern and ancient art, botanical wonders, and creatures that fueled the imaginations of musicians, poets, and artists alike. You'll be guided through various rooms within the gallery and shown specific pieces. You'll hear about the artists behind the pieces as well as the styles involved. Cecilia will show you how ancient myths and literature were the beating heart of Italian art from the Renaissance onwards. She'll help you decipher the enigmatic symbols and profound meanings woven into masterpieces by luminaries like Domenichino, Caravaggio, Bernini, Raphael, and Titian.
On this self-paced audio guide tour of Borghese Gallery, you'll:
• Lose yourself in Canova's masterpieces and learn about the Neoclassical movement, which was based on the concept of ideal beauty and harmonious perfection, without a hint of excess
• See the significance and importance of Vraisemblance art, a style so lifelike it blurs the line between art and reality
• Witness the rise of the young Bernini, the revolutionary inventor of Baroque art, who infused sculptures with the three main elements that dominated all of his artwork: movement, drama and vraisemblance
• Discover the dramatic narrative of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's masterpieces, like the compelling Rape of Persephone, delving deep into human emotions
• Peer into Caravaggio's world, in which he painted ordinary-looking people to go against the idealized beauty of traditional Italian painting
• Interpret the layers of meaning hidden within Raphael‘s renowned works, like Portrait of a Young Woman with Unicorn and The Deposition of the Cross
• Find out how Domenichino's role as an artist wasn‘t to depict the world as it is, with all its defects and dramas, but to filter reality to show the perfect harmony behind it
By the end of this artistic odyssey, you'll be able to decode the secrets and symbolism woven into these timeless masterpieces. Prepare to leave with an enriched understanding of the world's most significant art pieces, sparking a newfound appreciation for the boundless depths of artistic expression!
The Borghese Gallery and Museum is open daily from 9 AM to 7 PM except on Mondays, and the last entrance is at 5:30 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Tickets and time reservations are mandatory to visit the museum, and they sell out fast so you will need to purchase your ticket in advance of your visit. Admission tickets can be purchased here. Each visitor will receive a two-hour slot to visit the Borghese Gallery.
Meet Your Expert
Cecilia is an art historian and a native Roman with a Master's degree in Medieval and Renaissance art from the Sapienza University of Rome. Although her specialty is painting and decorative arts, she has a broad knowledge of the history of Rome and a personal passion for ancient history, which she shares on many antiquity-themed itineraries. Cecilia has worked actively in the past as a lecturer, teacher, and curator of exhibitions. She had been a staff member of the didactive service of the Vatican Museums, the Galleria Doria Pamphili and the Galleria Colonna where she still frequently consults. As a licensed guide for Rome and Florence and with a specialized teaching degree, she has more than 20 years of experience in leading highly-qualified tours.
How do I access the audio guide and download it for offline use?
Once you complete your purchase, you will receive a voucher code for your Audio Guide. You must download the Voicemap app and enter the code.
- Install VoiceMap from the Apple App Store or Google Play
- Create an account
- Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
- Enter your Voucher Code
- Select Download Now
Is closed captioning (i.e. subtitles) available?
Yes! All of our audio guides have the option to turn on closed captioning should you have difficulty hearing the expert.
How long does each event last?
Our recorded audio guides typically run for 75 minutes.
How can I share this audio guide with friends or family?
You are welcome to listen together with friends or family, but each person listening to the guide on their own device will need to purchase the audio guide individually.
How long does my access to the audio guide last?
Once you purchase an audio guide, you are welcome to listen to it as many times as you would like. Your access to a purchased audio guide does not expire.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
Sales for recorded audio guides are final upon purchase. Please contact us at digital@contexttravel.com if you have any questions or concerns about your purchase.
Can I purchase a gift card for a friend who is traveling?
Absolutely! Gift cards can be purchased here. Gift cards are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.
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9 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
This was the cherry on top of an already amazing experience. Galleria Borghese and it's collection are incredible but Cecilia's audio guide gave us all the really interesting stories and details behind the Gallery and it collection. It was also so well designed to follow you though the museum.
Santiago
Mar. 12, 2024
I enjoyed my audio guide of the borghese gallery! The guide shared so much interesting information and it was very easy to follow along and know exactly where to turn, walk, etc.
I would definitely use the context audio guides again!
Katya
Mar. 8, 2024
This audio guide made our visit to Borghese Gallery genuinely the best time I've ever had in an art museum. The museum is not too large and because they limit entry to two hours it's also far less crowded than most. Cecilia focused our attention on just 15 or so pieces and pointed out details in the technique, narrative, and history that I would have otherwise walked right past. The sculptures — especially Bernini's — are absolutely incredible and here you can walk right up to them and get a close and unobstructed view. I particularly appreciated Cecilia's rich descriptions that made the work come alive. The analysis of Bernini's David and Bernini chooses the moment of action where Michelangelo chooses the mental moment just before really opened my eyes to the artistic choices I usually overlook. I'll visit museums differently after this audio guide and hope I can take Cecilia's voice with me as often as possible.
Zack
Feb. 5, 2024
