Rome’s Capitoline Museum is a classicist’s nirvana. Spread across three buildings in a piazza designed by Michelangelo atop the Capitoline Hill , it abuts the Imperial forum of ancient Rome and in one fell swoop binds the Renaissance to its forbears in antiquity. Recent excavations under the hill have revealed the foundations of the precursor to what stands there now and the preserved balcony provides a view over the forum that’s worthy of an emporer.
The museum houses a bucket list of classical sculpture – along with a few mediocre paintings that are best avoided – and as a self-confessed Latin geek, it was easy for me to spend the better part of an afternoon here thoroughly enrapt. Three pieces in particular have haunted me for many years for many different reasons: The Dying Gaul, Cupid & Psyche, and an unknown warrior falling in battle. Click the images for greater detail.
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