page_title: Farnese Collection
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Farnese Collection / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Apollo seated with lyre. Porphyry and marble, 2nd c.CE. Farnese collection, Naples, Italy. Español: Estatua de la diosa Roma, restaurada como Apolo citaredo. Pórfido rojo y mármol blanco. Obra romana de la segunda mitad del siglo II d.C. Colección Farnesio, Museo Arqueológico Nacional de Nápoles. Français&#160;: Apollon assis avec une lyre. Anciennement la déesse "Rome". Porphyre et marbre blanc, IIème siècle de notre ère. Collection Farnese. Italiano: Apollo seduto con la lira. Porfido. II sec. d.C. Collezione Farnese. Naples National Archaeological Museum &#160;&#160;&#160; (Inventory)Native nameMuseo Archeologico Nazionale di NapoliLocationNaples, ItalyCoordinates40°&#160;51′&#160;12.16″&#160;N, 14°&#160;15′&#160;01.75″&#160;E &#160;Established1585Web pagecir.campania.beniculturali.it/museoarcheologiconazionaleAuthority control : Q637248 VIAF:&#8201;134828205 ISNI:&#8201;0000 0001 2289 7996 LCCN:&#8201;n80044962 NLA:&#8201;35416902 GND:&#8201;1053223-7 WorldCat institution QS:P195,Q637248 Inv. 6281
context_page_description: The classical sculptures in the Farnese Collection, one aspect of this large art collection, are one of the first collections of artistic items from Greco-Roman Antiquity. It includes some of the most influential classical works, including the sculptures that were part of the Farnese Marbles, their collection of statuary, which includes world-famous works like the Farnese Hercules, Farnese Cup, Farnese Bull and the Farnese Atlas. These statues are now displayed in the Naples National Archaeological Museum in Italy with some in the British Museum in London.
context_section_description: The items in the collection were acquired or requisitioned by Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, who became Pope Paul III (1534 - 1549). Classical artworks were routinely uncovered in Roman lands, and during the Italian Renaissance had become much desired. Many were family heirlooms of prominent families in Rome. Alessandro purchased the Sassi and Bernardino Fabio collections, confiscated the Colonna collection, and received the collection of Cardinal Federico Cesi as a donation. Other works were bought in the antiques market, including works that were appearing as part of excavations and construction throughout the city. Michelangelo had designed internal niches to display statuary in the massive Palazzo Farnese (1546) in Rome.
  Many of the most famous works in the Farnese collection, such as the Farnese Hercules and the Farnese Bull, Flora, Gladiator, Athena, and others were all found at the Baths of Caracalla.
  The Farnese collection was further enlarged by the Pope's nephew, another Cardinal Alessandro, by the purchase of the Del Bufalo and Cesarini collections. It also included the inheritance left in 1587 by Margaret of Parma, the widow first of Alessandro de Medici and then of Ottavio Farnese. She also possessed a collection of famous engraved gems, which formerly belonged to Lorenzo dei Medici, including the Farnese Cup, and important marble sculptures such as the Pergamene statues.
  The Farnese’s trusted collector and antiquarian Fulvio Orsini aided in shopping for other works and on his death, left his collection of gems, coins and busts to Odoardo Farnese. Among the works were two statues of Hercules and two statues of Flora; the two Gladiators were placed beneath the arches of the courtyard of the Palazzo; while the Farnese Bull was placed in a special enclosure in the second courtyard.
caption: Apollo seated with lyre. Porphyry and marble, 2nd century AD. Farnese collection, National Archaeological Museum, Naples
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