Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese and Park was built in 1605 by Flaminio Ponzio for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the sybaritic nephew of Pope Paul V. It is the biggest park in Rome, located in the park is the Gallery along with summerhouses, temples, and statues.

Borghese Gallery- Built by Flaminio Ponzio in 1605 (shown above)

Designed as a typical Roman country house the villa was used by Scipione for entertaining guests and for displaying his impressive collection of paintings and sculptures. In 1902 the estate was given to the city of Rome from Umberto I, king of Italy. 

The Rape of Proserpine - By Bernini in 1622. 

The God of the underworld, Pluto, carries Proserpine away to be his bride. In this sculpture Bernini places in contrast the taut musculature of Pluto with the soft yielding flesh of Proserpine.

 Self Portrait - by Bernini in 1665.

Bernini was very skilful as a painter as seen in the self-portrait. Many of his paintings can be seen at the National Gallery in London.