Palazzo Barberini Unveils New Permanent Collection Layout in Rome

Palazzo Barberini in Rome has completed the first phase of a major reinstallation of its permanent collection, focusing on the ten rooms of the south wing. The project, led by director Flaminia Gennari Santori with curators Michele Di Monte and Maurizia Cicconi and architect Enrico Quell, took about three years. The new arrangement covers late 17th-century painting (notably Neapolitan works and Mattia Preti) and nearly all 18th-century art. Key changes include reducing the number of works on display, hanging paintings in a single row for better visibility, and providing individual explanatory labels instead of one panel per room. Four rooms will rotate artworks every six months to show more of the collection. Santori described the initiative as the museum's most important undertaking beyond temporary exhibitions.