The Fondazione Torlonia came into being at the behest of Prince Alessandro Torlonia, with the aim of preserving and promoting the Collezione Torlonia and Villa Albani Torlonia: “cultural heritage of the Family for humanity” to be handed down to future generations. Together, as well as comprising an exceptional artistic heritage, they reflect some of the key moments of our civilisation, of the history of collecting, as well as of archaeology and restoration: the Collezione Torlonia offers a significant testimony of the history of collecting items of antiquity, and Villa Albani Torlonia – a sublime testimony of the coupling of reason and nature – constitutes an unspoilt representation of eighteenth-century taste.
Two extraordinary artistic complexes destined to intertwine over the course of history, both preserved with great care under the aegis of the same Family, through their constant and scrupulous protection, which the Foundation has continued with major results: the opening of the Laboratori Torlonia for the study and restoration of the more than six hundred Torlonia marble items, and the innovative conservation programme of Villa Albani Torlonia.
The Foundation’s first major achievement was reached by the historic agreement with the Ministry for the display of the Collection on a worldwide tour and the opening of the inaugural show, The Torlonia Marbles – Collecting Masterpieces, in Rome: “the result of a genuine example of collaboration between the public and private sectors for the sake of culture,” as underlined by the Italian Government Minister Dario Franceschini. An institutionalisation process which came underway with the display of a highly representative group of works and the publication of the catalogue by Electa, and which over the years to come will allow the masterpieces of the Collezione Torlonia to be enjoyed by the public of the Capitoline Museums as well as a series of upcoming international venues.
The Fondazione Torlonia is a key promoting force of a fundamental process of study and conservation, acting to foster the widest possible sharing of its work, thereby laying down the bases for studies, research and initiatives in constant evolution. In the age of 4.0 industry, being an institution dedicated to a historical and artistic heritage of such magnitude opens up new scenarios in which the Foundation certainly wishes to be a leading force, using the efficacy of the most innovative technologies to achieve its mission ever more effectively.
The Fondazione Torlonia is well aware of the responsibility of what is considered the greatest cultural heritage of the Torlonia Family; while it shares aims and results with the past, carved into the very history of the Collezione Torlonia and always carried out with that same vision of safeguarding and handing down, today this has led to an approach towards the management of the heritage which – going beyond a ‘holistic’ vision – favours a mutually beneficial dialogue with institutions, the results of which are achievable only one small step at a time. An evolution which, over the coming years, will lead to the creation of a new Museo Torlonia in Rome, permanently open to the public. The Torlonia Marbles – Collecting Masterpieces is a token of this same progressive approach, one which ensures the handing down of an exceptional artistic heritage and a key component of our cultural identity to the generations to come.
