Curiosities and the Crucifixion | Museo del Corso

A friend in-the-know prebooked a guided visit at the Museo del Corso one Sunday morning, and asked me and another to join. These visits sell out quickly, so getting in the door to this art tour entitled “Rome and the Jubilee” was a treat. Early on a Sunday morning, via del Corso was unusually quiet – the streets that would soon be lined with shoppers and gawkers, performers and passersby, were empty for the moment.

The museum is housed in the former Treasury building, and many of the objects and works inside reflect this heritage. The collection was full of curiosities – from paintings that resembled masterpieces made “in the school of” Italy’s greatest artists, to a display of ancient coins, manuscripts and original historical documents. Drifting through the halls, we were guided by an enthusiastic art historian who gave life to works that resonated with the theme of the Jubilee. What fascinated me were the historical depictions of Rome over time, showing the city’s incredible transformation throughout the ages. Imagine the Bridge of Angels prior to the presence of Bernini’s statues!

The visit culminated in the viewing of Marc Chagall’s Crucifixion, occupying a single wall of the entire Palazzo Cipolla, across the street from where we started. This captivating work was lit in an extraordinary way, showing off its white background and creating a luminosity around its powerful message.

Rome is full of treasures – a lifetime can never reveal them all!