The Torlonia Collection: Masterpieces of Roman Sculpture
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA), Montreal
March 14 – July 19, 2026
From March 14 to July 19, 2026, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts hosts The Torlonia Collection: Masterpieces of Roman Sculpture, presenting a remarkable selection of ancient works from the Torlonia Collection, the most important private collection of Roman sculpture in the world. The exhibition marks the only Canadian stop of the North American tour and offers audiences a rare opportunity to encounter these sculptures before they return to Italy.
The Torlonia Collection, assembled in the nineteenth century by Alessandro Torlonia, comprises over six hundred works and represents one of the most significant ensembles of Roman sculpture in existence. Drawn from archaeological excavations on Torlonia estates as well as from major historic collections in Rome, the sculptures span nearly a millennium—from the 5th century BCE to the early 4th century CE—and include portraits of emperors and private individuals, statues of gods and heroes, reliefs, and funerary monuments.
The exhibition brings together nearly sixty sculptures, many of which have been newly conserved and studied by Fondazione Torlonia in preparation for their public presentation. Through these works, visitors can explore the artistic achievements of ancient Rome as well as the complex histories of restoration, collecting, and interpretation that have shaped their modern reception.
The exhibition is co-organized by the Art Institute of Chicago and Fondazione Torlonia, in collaboration with the Kimbell Art Museum, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and The Museum Box.
The exhibition is curated by Lisa Ayla Çakmak, Mary and Michael Jaharis Chair and Curator of Arts of Greece, Rome and Byzantium at the Art Institute of Chicago, and Katharine A. Raff, Elizabeth McIlvaine Curator of Arts of Greece, Rome and Byzantium at the same institution. The Montreal presentation is curated by Laura Vigo, Curator of Asian Art and Archaeology at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
Following earlier presentations in Chicago and Fort Worth, the Montreal exhibition represents the final stage of this historic North American tour. Through a carefully selected group of masterpieces—from imperial portraits to mythological figures—the exhibition offers new insights into the enduring cultural significance of Roman sculpture and the legacy of one of the world’s most celebrated collections.