Early Photographs of the Family Museum

This is a view (ca. 1885) of the private Casino delle Statue of the Villa Ludovisi in Rome. Elements of this building are today incorporated into a garage on the grounds of the US Embassy in Rome.

This is from Sala I of the Museum, toward the entrance along south wall. At the center is a sculpture of Pan and Daphnis, and to its right a portrait bust of Demosthenes.

We are still in Sala I, where placed along the east wall is a Venus (1583) of Giambologna, which came to the Ludovisi from the Cesarini collection. It was rediscovered in 1992 in the US Embassy, Rome.

Also in Sala I along the east wall, a statue of Heracles, and to its right, a partial view of a seated, robed female figure.

Transitioning between Sala I and II: toward the north wall is the famed Ares Ludovisi (copy of 4th c. BCE original). Discovered in Rome's Campus Martius in 1622, it features renovations by Bernini.

Now in Sala II, along north wall, the famed Orestes and Electra (1st c. BCE), signed by sculptor "Menelaus, pupil of Stephanus". Winckelmann identified Electra from the short hair, a sign of mourning.

Still in Sala II, along the north wall: a statue of a pouring satyr, and to its right, an over life-size portrait head of a Roman male. The grapes in the satyr's right hand is a 16th c. restoration.

Again in Sala II, along its east wall: a colossal head of Demeter with veil held in place by a tall diadem. Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi purchased this bust from the Cesi collection.

In Sala II, along the south wall: a young Dionysus, and to its right, a suiciding Gaul and his wife (from a Pergamene original). The statue group was found in the area of the Villa Ludovisi,

In Sala II along its west wall: the colossal head of the Juno Ludovisi (probably Antonia Minor, mother of Claudius). Henry James complained it was obscured by a shutter. which can be seen at left.

Still in Sala II, toward the west wall, the Juno Ludovisi, and Bernini’s Rape of Proserpina (1621/2), now in the Galleria Borghese in Rome. Note the uninspired placement of this famously 3D sculpture.

In Sala II, along the north wall: a colossal statue of a seated Apollo with lyre (the head is 16th century, and clearly inspired by that of the Apollo Belvedere), and a bust of Marcus Aurelius.

Sala II, looking along north wall toward west, from left: colossal statue of Hygieia; a female robed statue; colossal statue of Athena Parthenos; colossal seated Apollo with lyre; resting warrior.