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The art collection of the Fondazione Roma, the former Museo del Corso, is comprised of a substantial and original body of works ranging from the fifteenth century to the present day. Based on the original small collection of institutional pawnbroker Monte di Pietà and savings bank Cassa di Risparmio di Roma. The collection has been considerably expanded over the years through a series of new acquisition, fervently sought and promoted by Prof. Emmanuele F.M. Emanuele J.D., who also had the idea of gathering and permanently exhibiting the works in galleries created for this purpose in Palazzo Sciarra. Today it houses approximately 350 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and tapestries; there is also a collection of coins and Papal medals that range from Pope Martin V to Pope Francis.
The collection includes an important selection of 25 paintings by Flemish and Dutch artists who, in the sixteenth through eighteenth century, traveled to the Eternal City to hone their technique with religious subjects, genre scenes and Roman views. Besides three magnificent tapestries made in Brussels that depict the Stories of Hercules, the collection boasts works by artists such as Pieter van Laer (nicknamed Il Bamboccio), Jan Frans van Bloemen – represented by no fewer than three works including the impressive View of Vignanello with the Procession of Prince Ruspoli – Gerard van Honthorst (known in Italy as Gherardo delle Notti) and, last but not least, the great painter of landscapes Caspar van Wittel (also known as Gaspar Vanvitelli) with his View of Tivoli with the Temple of Vesta and the Waterfalls in the Aniene.
Sara Lombardo, Management Office of the Permanent Collection (March, 2022)