Chicago City Wire

The Art Institute of Chicago will host an exhibition titled "Myth and Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection" from March 15 to June 29, 2025. This exhibition will showcase approximately 58 sculptures from the Torlonia Collection, including 24 newly-restored pieces that have not been publicly displayed in nearly a century. Notably, this marks the first time these works will be seen in North America.

The Torlonia Collection is recognized as the largest private collection of Roman marble sculptures in Italy and is one of the most significant collections of its kind globally. With a total of 622 works, it rivals major European institutions such as the Capitoline and Vatican Museums.

Lisa Ayla Çakmak, Mary and Michael Jaharis Chair and Curator for Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium at the Art Institute of Chicago, emphasized the intention behind curating this show: “We curated the show with the goal of making ancient history resonate with a modern audience. Both ancient Roman art enthusiasts and first-time museumgoers alike will appreciate these marvelous works.” She further noted that visitors have "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see selections of this exquisite collection while it’s in Chicago."

The exhibition features large-scale figures of deities, portraits of emperors, and funerary monuments organized into seven thematic sections. One section highlights imperial portraits, focusing on reigning emperors and their families. Katharine A. Raff, Elizabeth McIlvaine Curator for Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium at the Art Institute of Chicago stated: “This significant group of portraits allows us to highlight the critical role that imperial images played in visually reinforcing dynastic succession throughout the broader Roman Empire.”

Another theme showcases sculptures discovered on properties owned by the Torlonia family around Rome and their estate in Porto, Italy—a historically significant harbor during ancient Roman times.

The exhibition is co-organized by The Art Institute of Chicago and The Torlonia Foundation with collaboration from several other museums including Kimbell Art Museum, Musée des beaux-arts Montréal, and The Museum Box.

Financial support for "Myth and Marble" comes from various sources including Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly as lead sponsors. Major funding is also provided by foundations such as Jaharis Family Foundation among others.

Restoration efforts for these artworks were undertaken by The Torlonia Foundation with assistance from Fondazione Bvlgari.