Bernini & Borromini, Villa Borghese & Villa Giulia

The best thing about our history class is that it takes us on site. It is such a different way of learning because you actually get to see and experience what these buildings, sculptures, and paintings are actually like first-hand. Our history class one Monday was a tour to see works by both Gianlorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. We first went to Santa Maria della Vittoria and saw Bernini's St. Teresa in Ecstasy, then saw another one if his churches, S. Andrea al Quirinale. After this we visited my favorite and most beautiful church I've seen thus far in Rome, San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, by Borromini. We concluded the class at Palazzo Barberini, where Borromini's famed staircase is.

St. Teresa in Ecstasy, Bernini

the dome of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, Borromini

Borromini's staircase

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Another history class took us to the Galleria Borghese, home to the three most magnificent sculptures by Bernini: Pluto and Persephone, Apollo and Daphne, and his David. Unfortunately, photography isn't allowed inside the gallery, otherwise I would share them with you here. We also got to see many beautiful paintings, including Titian's Sacred and Profane Love, Raphael's Disposition, Fra Angelico's Last Judgement, Corregio's Dance and Danae, Raphael's Baglioni, and a few of Caravaggio's paintings: Madonna of the Serpent, Self Portrait as the Sick Bacchus, and Boy with a Basket of Fruit. After this we walked through the Borghese gardens and then to Villa Giulia where we sketched.

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group picture in the Borghese gardens

Villa Giulia