Torlonia Roman Sculpture Collection Concludes North American Tour in Montreal

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is hosting the final North American presentation of 'The Torlonia Collection: Masterpieces of Roman Sculpture' from March 14 to July 19, 2026. This exhibition marks the third and concluding stop on the continent, following previous displays at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas. The showcase features 57 marble sculptures from the renowned Torlonia Collection, including statues, busts, and sarcophagi dating from the 5th century BC to the early 4th century AD, with most works originating from the Roman Imperial Period. Visitors can view representations of deities, heroes, mythological characters, portraits, and funerary monuments, many of which have not been publicly exhibited for over seven decades. Notable pieces include the Statue of Apollo Citharoedus, created between the late 1st century BC and early 2nd century AD, depicting the Greek god holding a lyre, and the Torlonia Maiden, a portrait bust from the late Republic to early Augustan period. The collection was assembled during the 19th century by Princes Giovanni and Alessandro Torlonia and represents the world's most significant private holding of Roman marble sculptures, comparable to major institutional collections. Originally displayed at the Museo Torlonia in Rome until its closure after World War II, these works have undergone restoration and are now accessible to the public before returning to Italy. The exhibition also includes informational diagrams illustrating original versus restored components of the sculptures.