THE TORLONIA COLLECTION
MASTERPIECES OF ROMAN SCULPTURE

Don’t miss an unforgettable tête-à-tête with the most famous statues of ancient Rome.

The exhibition wraps up at the MMFA on July 19.

Reserve your tickets now
^{Free for MMFA Members}

FINAL WEEKS TO ADMIRE THEM

This remarkable collection, one of the world’s greatest private holdings of classical art, brings together statues, busts, and reliefs spanning centuries of ancient history.

These masterpieces from the vast private collection of Roman sculptures assembled in the 19th century by the prince and banker Alessandro Torlonia were recently shown to great acclaim at the Louvre in Paris.

A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME ENCOUNTER

Admire fifty-seven masterpieces, many of which are on view for the first time in the modern era. The exhibition is a rare opportunity to marvel at these illustrious figures in the company of your friends or family.

Montreal is the only Canadian stop—don’t miss this unique occasion to see these masterworks up close before they return to Italy!

Montreal is the Torlonia Collection’s third and final stop on the continent, following showings at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. For many pieces, this marks their first public display in more than 70 years.

— Les ArtsZé, The Collector

Credit

View of the exhibition The Torlonia Collection: Masterpieces of Roman Sculpture. © Fondazione Torlonia. Photo Thibault Carron

DELVE DEEPER WITH THE AUDIO TOUR

Here, a girl holds a bird in her hand. She had long been thought to be a boy, but a tiny hole in her earlobe—a sign of a now-lost earring—has since changed minds. [...] The action of stroking or feeding the bird evokes purity and affection.

Does this excerpt from the audio tour inspire you? Let yourself be transported back in time in the company of these remarkable sculptures and the many stories they have to tell…

The audio tour is available at the entrance to the exhibition ($).

Credit

View of the exhibition The Torlonia Collection: Masterpieces of Roman Sculpture. © Fondazione Torlonia. Photo Thibault Carron

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Weekend spots fill up very quickly. We highly recommend you book online so you can skip the ticket line.

It may all boil down to savvy marketing. In the 1880s, Alessandro Torlonia revolutionized how ancient sculpture was viewed by commissioning one of the first photographic catalogues of a classical collection, cementing these 57 masterpieces as global icons of beauty and power.

Absolutely! You can apply the full cost of your exhibition ticket toward an MMFA membership on the very same day. Just stop by the Members Desk before you leave, to complete the upgrade.

Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, the MMFA is easy to get to:

Metro: A short walk from the Guy-Concordia or Peel stations.
REM Light Rail: Get off at McGill station; the Museum is a pleasant 10-15 minute walk away.
By car: Several paid parking lots are located within walking distance of the Museum, including the LB parking garage at Concordia University’s J.W. McConnell Pavilion, located at 1453 Mackay Street.
By foot: The Museum is on Sherbrooke Street, surrounded by the city’s best dining and shopping.
By BIXI: For an eco-friendly and practical way to get around, rent a BIXI bike from one of the many stations near the Museum.

Expect to spend about one hour to see the full exhibition with the audio guide.

After your visit, head over to the Interactive Creative Space, where visitors of all ages can explore the history of Roman marble statues through sight, sound, smell and even touch!

And before leaving, don’t forget to stop by the exhibition boutique to pick up an original souvenir to remind you of your visit.

Credits and curatorial team

An exhibition co-organized by the Art Institute of Chicago and Fondazione Torlonia, in collaboration with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Kimbell Art Museum and The Museum Box.

The exhibition is curated by Lisa Ayla Çakmak, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Chair and Curator—Arts of Greece, Rome and Byzantium, Art Institute of Chicago (AIC), and Katharine A. Raff, the Elizabeth McIlvaine Curator—Arts of Greece, Rome and Byzantium, AIC. The Montreal presentation is curated by Laura Vigo, Curator of Asian Art and Archaeology at the MMFA.