Critique: 'Metamorfosi' Show at Galleria Borghese Disrupts Historic Collection

The exhibition 'Metamorfosi. Ovidio e le arti' at the Galleria Borghese in Rome, open until September 20, 2026, has drawn sharp criticism from art historian Stefano Pierguidi. Curated by Francesca Cappelletti, the museum's director, and Fritz Scholten, head of sculpture at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the show originated at the Rijksmuseum and presents works inspired by Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'. Pierguidi argues that the installation by French artist-scenographer Hubert Le Gall is invasive, comparing it to 'an elephant in a china shop', with plastic rock blocks and a makeshift grotto. He contends that the display overwhelms the museum's historic interiors, which were designed as a cohesive whole in the late 18th century. The exhibition includes contemporary works, such as a piece by Anicka Yi from the Pinault Collection (2023), and modern sculptures by Rodin and Brâncuși, which Pierguidi finds unnecessary. He notes that key loans, such as Correggio's 'Danae' companions from Vienna, were not secured, undermining the show's rationale. Several masterpieces from the permanent collection, including works by Barocci, Titian, and Pietro da Cortona, have been removed to make space. Pierguidi does praise some juxtapositions, such as the 'Lede' by Michelangelo and Leonardo, and the tapestry of 'Narcissus' from Boston, but overall concludes the exhibition fails to respect the museum's heritage.