Galleria Borghese 2026 Program Opens with Zanabazar Exhibition Bridging Asia and Europe
The Galleria Borghese in Rome has rolled out its exhibition lineup for 2026 after an impressive 2025, where they sold over 630,000 tickets. Kicking off the year is "Zanabazar. Dalla Mongolia al Barocco Globale," running until February 22, in partnership with the MAO – Museo d'Arte Orientale di Torino. This exhibit features two significant works by Mongolian artist Zanabazar (1635–1723), a Genghis Khan descendant, alongside Baroque pieces by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. These Mongolian national treasures, which survived Cold War-era monastery destruction, are also objects of worship. MAO's director, Davide Quadrio, highlighted Zanabazar's realism rooted in Nepalese influences. The 2026 schedule also boasts "Metamorfosi. Ovidio e le arti" from June 23 to September 20, showcasing Ovidian themes through works by various masters. Plus, there are upcoming dossier exhibitions and new immersive experiences aimed at making culture more accessible.
Key facts
- Galleria Borghese sold over 630,000 tickets in 2025.
- 2026 program opens with Zanabazar exhibition until February 22.
- Exhibition is in collaboration with MAO – Museo d'Arte Orientale di Torino.
- Zanabazar (1635–1723) was a Mongolian artist and descendant of Genghis Khan.
- Two works by Zanabazar are national treasures of Mongolia and survived Cold War destruction.
- Davide Quadrio is director of MAO.
- Zanabazar's style is realistic, influenced by Nepal and Densha Teel monastery in Tibet.
- MAO will host a micro-intervention by a contemporary Mongolian artist.
- Metamorfosi exhibition runs June 23–September 20, 2026, with Rijksmuseum.
- Metamorfosi features works by Correggio, Michelangelo, Titian, Rubens, Poussin, Rodin, Brancusi.
- Dossier exhibitions include Giovan Francesco Penni and Marcello Provenzale.
- New thematic tours, mediation tools, and immersive experiences are introduced.
Entities
Artists
- Zanabazar
- Gian Lorenzo Bernini
- Correggio
- Michelangelo
- Titian
- Rubens
- Poussin
- Rodin
- Brancusi
- Giovan Francesco Penni
- Raphael
- Marcello Provenzale da Cento
- Davide Quadrio
- Valentina Muzi
Institutions
- Galleria Borghese
- MAO – Museo d'Arte Orientale di Torino
- Rijksmuseum
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Mongolia
- Beijing
- China
- Nepal
- Tibet
- Densha Teel
- Turin