Ask for the most famous painting in the Galleria Borghese and you will hear of Titian's Sacred and Profane Love (1514) — then of Caravaggio's Boy with a Basket of Fruit (1594), Caravaggio's The Madonna and Child with St Anne (1605–1606) and Raphael's Lady with a Unicorn (1505).
Below, the 8 paintings of the Galleria Borghese that are most widely known — painted from 1505 to 1606 by 6 painters — with their date, medium and size.
The originals
The 8 famous paintings of the Galleria Borghese our artists study first
The painter, the date, the medium and the dimensions of each original, with a note from its page.
- Sacred and Profane Love by Titian, 1514
- Boy with a Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio, 1594
- The Madonna and Child with St Anne by Caravaggio, 1605–1606
- Lady with a Unicorn by Raphael, 1505
- Sick Bacchus by Caravaggio, 1593
- The entombment by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato
- Saint Jerome Writing by Cecco del Caravaggio, 1605
- Danaë by Antonio da Correggio, 1530
-
Titian (1490–1576)
1. Sacred and Profane Love by Titian, 1514
Galleria Borghese, Rome1514Oil on canvas118 × 279 cm
The transformation of a Roman sarcophagus into a flowing water trough is a powerful metaphor for rebirth, suggesting that even within the structures of mortality, life and love find a way to flourish.
-
Caravaggio (1571–1610)
2. Boy with a Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio, 1594
Galleria Borghese, Rome1594Oil on canvas70 × 67 cm
Caravaggio produced Boy With A Basket Of Fruit around 1593. The work is currently held in the Galleria Borghese in Rome, Italy. In 1607, the work was seized by Cardinal Scipione Borghese. Later, the technical innovations seen here were adopted by Rembrandt and Vermeer, cementing the impact of his naturalism on the development of Western painting. The work provided the inspiration for the album Girl with Basket of Fruit by the band Xiu Xiu.
-
Caravaggio (1571–1610)
3. The Madonna and Child with St Anne by Caravaggio, 1605–1606
Galleria Borghese, Rome1605–1606Oil on canvas292 × 211 cm
The darkness presses in from every side, a heavy, physical presence that swallows the periphery and leaves only the essential figures emerging from the void. Beside her, Saint Anne appears not as a distant, idealized icon, but as an ordinary, wrinkled woman, her skin etched with the wisdom of age. As the light washes over the figures, it reveals a complex web of meaning: The radiant golden light bathing Mary and Jesus, symbolizing divine grace and the light of the world.
-
Raphael (1483–1520)
4. Lady with a Unicorn by Raphael, 1505
Galleria Borghese, Rome1505Oil on panel (transferred to canvas)65 × 51 cm
The composition is remarkably balanced, employing a pyramidal structure that draws the viewer's eye to her serene face. The influence of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is evident in the woman's enigmatic smile and the atmospheric perspective employed in the background. Initially shrouded in uncertainty, the painting was once believed to be a depiction of Saint Catherine of Alexandria and attributed to Perugino. However, art historical research, particularly that conducted by Roberto Longhi and confirmed during restorations between 1934-36 and 1959, firmly established Raphael as the artist.
-
Caravaggio (1571–1610)
5. Sick Bacchus by Caravaggio, 1593
Galleria Borghese, Rome1593Oil on canvas67 × 53 cm
The canvas portrays a young man reclining on a bedsheet, identified as Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and fertility. 'Young Sick Bacchus ' is laden with symbolic meaning, reflecting Caravaggio’s preoccupation with mortality and human suffering. This deliberate choice underscores Caravaggio’s awareness of his own physical condition during his illness, transforming it into a symbol of human fragility.
-
Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato (1609–1685)
6. The entombment by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato
Galleria Borghese, RomeOil on panel174.5 × 178.5 cm
The body of Jesus lies heavy against the earth, arms outstretched in a final, rigid gesture of surrender. Mary holds him, her hands tracing the pale contours of a son no longer breathing. The scene unfolds beneath the shadow of a solitary tree, where the light falls with a quiet, steady gravity. This work reflects a deep devotion to the classical ideals of the Renaissance, specifically the harmonious proportions and serene grace found in the works of Raphael.
The originalOriginals by Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato
-
Cecco del Caravaggio (1589–1620)
7. Saint Jerome Writing by Cecco del Caravaggio, 1605
Galleria Borghese, Rome1605Oil on canvas112 × 157 cm
As the eye wanders across the canvas, one is immediately struck by the dramatic interplay between the deep, swallowing shadows and the sudden, brilliant illumination that catches the textures of parchment, skin, and bone. While history often focuses on Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Cecco del Caravaggio (Francesco Buoneri) emerged as a vital pulse within the Caravaggisti movement, absorbing the master's revolutionary naturalism and infusing it with his own psychological intensity.
-
Antonio da Correggio (1489–1534)
8. Danaë by Antonio da Correggio, 1530
Galleria Borghese, Rome1530Oil on canvas158 × 189 cm
Executed in oil on canvas, Danaë showcases Correggio's unparalleled mastery of chiaroscuro—the dramatic interplay between light and shadow —which sculpts form and imbues the scene with palpable emotion. The artist meticulously renders textures, from the smooth skin of Danaë to the shimmering surface of Zeus’s golden radiance. For a deeper understanding of Correggio’s contribution to art history, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_da_Correggio.
The collection in figures
The originals of the Galleria Borghese in our catalogue
157 originals of the Galleria Borghese — paintings and works on paper — century by century
The originals in figures
- 8 originals, ranked by fame, 6 painters of the originals, Raphael to Caravaggio.
- Painters with the most originals here: Caravaggio (3), Titian (1), Raphael (1).
- Raphael's Lady with a Unicorn (1505) – Caravaggio's The Madonna and Child with St Anne (1605–1606).
- Caravaggio's The Madonna and Child with St Anne (1605–1606), 292 × 211 cm – Raphael's Lady with a Unicorn (1505), 65 × 51 cm.
- 175 originals of the Galleria Borghese in our catalogue: 157 paintings and works on paper by 81 artists, 1475–1806.
The countries the painters of the Galleria Borghese came from
The painters with the most originals at the Galleria Borghese
Questions to the studio
Questions about the originals of the Galleria Borghese
Open a question to read our answer.
Which painting in the Galleria Borghese is the most famous?
No. 1 in the Galleria Borghese is Titian's Sacred and Profane Love (1514). Next come Caravaggio's Boy with a Basket of Fruit (1594), Caravaggio's The Madonna and Child with St Anne (1605–1606) and Raphael's Lady with a Unicorn (1505).
Which five paintings of the Galleria Borghese are the most famous?
In order: Sacred and Profane Love by Titian, Boy with a Basket of Fruit by Caravaggio, The Madonna and Child with St Anne by Caravaggio, Lady with a Unicorn by Raphael and Sick Bacchus by Caravaggio.
Are there any Caravaggio paintings in the Galleria Borghese?
Caravaggio has 3 paintings in this ranking — Boy with a Basket of Fruit (No. 2), The Madonna and Child with St Anne (No. 3) and Sick Bacchus (No. 5) — and 9 records in our catalogue of the Galleria Borghese.
Are there any Titian paintings in the Galleria Borghese?
Titian has 1 paintings in this ranking — Sacred and Profane Love (No. 1) — and 13 records in our catalogue of the Galleria Borghese.
Are there any Raphael paintings in the Galleria Borghese?
Raphael has 1 paintings in this ranking — Lady with a Unicorn (No. 4) — and 3 records in our catalogue of the Galleria Borghese.
Where is the Galleria Borghese?
The Galleria Borghese is in Rome, Italy. Our catalogue lists 175 of its works by 81 artists, dated 1475 to 1806; the 8 paintings of this ranking are all in its collection.
What is the oldest painting in the Galleria Borghese on this list?
The earliest is Raphael's Lady with a Unicorn (1505) (1505); the latest, Caravaggio's The Madonna and Child with St Anne (1605–1606) (1606).
What is the largest painting in the Galleria Borghese on this list?
The biggest is Caravaggio's The Madonna and Child with St Anne (1605–1606) at 292 × 211 cm; the smallest, Raphael's Lady with a Unicorn (1505) at 65 × 51 cm.
How was this list of the paintings of the Galleria Borghese ranked?
The paintings of the Galleria Borghese in our catalogue are ranked by how widely each one is known: the number of Wikipedia language editions with an article on it (Wikidata sitelinks), its place in our catalogue's manual ranking and the visits its page receives. The same painting catalogued several times counts once; details, copies and studies are left out.
The house of the originals
The Galleria Borghese in Rome: history and collections of the originals
The Galleria Borghese (Villa Borghese, Borghese Gallery, Casino Borghese) — art gallery — in Rome, Italy. Its highlights: Masterpieces by Caravaggio, Bernini, Raphael, Titian, Correggio, and Canova works. Our catalogue lists 157 of its paintings and works on paper, by 81 artists, dated 1475 to 1806.
Origins and History of the Gallery
The Galleria Borghese is located in Rome, Italy, within the former Villa Borghese Pinciana. The collection began under the direction of Cardinal Scipione Borghese (1577–1633), the nephew of Pope Paul V. He utilized the family's resources to acquire a significant assembly of art, establishing the foundation of the holdings seen today. The site was originally conceived as a villa suburbana, a country retreat designed for personal enjoyment and the display of the Cardinal's growing acquisitions. The transition from a private residence to a public institution occurred in 1902. Prince Camillo Borghese established the site as a public museum, ensuring the preservation of the family's artistic legacy for the public. This decision moved the collection from the private sphere into the civic domain. The villa's history is tied to the shifting fortunes of the Borghese family and the changing political landscape of Rome. Scipione Borghese (1577–1633) Pope Paul V Prince Camillo Borghese
The Architecture of Villa Borghese
The structure of the villa emerged from the personal vision of Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The building was constructed by the architect Flaminio Ponzio, who developed the design from the Cardinal's own sketches. This architectural approach created a harmonious blend of classical architecture and Baroque embellishment. The villa was originally conceived as a villa suburbana, a country retreat situated at the edge of Rome. The main building was designed by the architect Giovanni Vasanzio. Within the complex, the Casino Borghese was erected in an area that, during the seventeenth century, sat outside the city walls. The architecture incorporates elements of antiquity; the portico features spolia derived from the Arch of Claudius. This integration of salvaged classical materials into the structure reflects the period's interest in the Roman past.
The Collection of Ancient Antiquities
The main floor of the gallery is dedicated to classical antiquities dating from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD. This assembly of ancient sculpture forms a fundamental part of the holdings, providing a historical foundation for the later works in the collection. The selection includes various bas-reliefs and ancient mosaics that reflect the aesthetic standards of the Roman era. A significant piece within this archaeological assembly is a mosaic of gladiators, which dates from 320–330. The collection has been shaped by continuous development; the archaeological holdings were expanded through new excavations and the strategic replacement of items over the centuries. These additions have helped maintain the continuity of the collection's classical focus. Mosaic of gladiators, 320–330
Major Acquisitions and Artistic Legacies
The composition of the collection has been shaped by significant shifts in ownership and political pressure. In 1807-8, Prince Camillo Borghese, the brother-in-law of Napoleon, was compelled to sell a substantial portion of the family's sculptural holdings to the Emperor. This transfer included 154 statues and 160 busts. Many of these pieces, such as the Borghese Gladiator and the Hermaphroditus, were relocated to the Louvre. Despite these losses, the gallery continued to expand through strategic acquisitions and inheritances. In 1682, the collection was enriched by the inheritance of Olimpia Aldobrandini. The acquisition of certain works was also driven by papal authority. Through a papal motu proprio, the gallery obtained the Deposition by Raphael. This addition ensured the presence of significant Renaissance works within the villa's walls.
5 facts about the home of the originals
- Who was the patron who commissioned works from leading artists to shape the collection at the Galleria Borghese?Cardinal Scipione Borghese
- Which artist is known for his dramatic use of chiaroscuro in works like 'Sick Bacchus'?Caravaggio
- The Galleria Borghese is housed in which type of building?A former villa
- Which sculptor created the 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'David' held in the gallery?Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- In what year was the collection established as a public museum?1902
The Galleria Borghese: every original we catalogueThe museums of Rome
To read
Three articles on the originals and their painters
How the originals are ranked
The originals of the Galleria Borghese in our catalogue are ranked by fame: the Wikipedia language editions that describe the painting, our studio's ranking and the visits to its page on OriginalUniqueArt.com. One entry per original, counted in our catalogue and not in the museum's inventory, without details, copies, studies, sculptures or works on paper; every date, dimension and medium is the catalogue's, and the notes are drawn from the painting's description.
Go on