The guided tour of the “Bernini and the Barberini” exhibition in Rome, scheduled from February 12, 2026, at Palazzo Barberini, is a unique opportunity to explore Roman Baroque through the art of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the master who shaped the image of 17th-century Rome more than anyone else.

Following the success of the exhibition dedicated to Caravaggio, Palazzo Barberini presents a new major show celebrating the golden age of the city and the Barberini family’s key role in the development of the Baroque.

The exhibition focuses on the relationship between Bernini and Maffeo Barberini, the future Pope Urban VIII: a decisive collaboration that deeply influenced the artistic and urban evolution of the capital.

Urban VIII called Bernini a “sublime genius,” immediately recognizing his talent and entrusting him with some of the most prestigious commissions of his pontificate. After his early works for Scipione Borghese—including Apollo and Daphne and The Rape of Proserpina, now housed in the Galleria Borghese—the artist’s fame grew rapidly, establishing him as the central figure of Baroque Rome.

The exhibition, divided into six sections, guides visitors from Bernini’s early years to his full artistic maturity, highlighting the transition from late Mannerism to the Baroque language that made him famous across Europe. Among the masterpieces on display are Saint Sebastian from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Putto with Dragon from the Getty Museum, and The Four Seasons from the Aldobrandini collection.

One section is entirely devoted to portraits of the Barberini family, busts of Urban VIII, and sculptures by Bernini, Finelli, and Mochi, accompanied by rare paintings by the artist and contemporaries such as Andrea Sacchi. Drawings, prints, and preparatory models illustrate Bernini’s involvement in the great projects at St. Peter’s Basilica, from the Baldachin to Urban VIII’s funerary monument, offering a comprehensive view of his creative process.

The guided tour of “Bernini and the Barberini” in Rome, organized to mark the 400th anniversary of the consecration of the new St. Peter’s Basilica, allows visitors to explore not only Bernini’s career but also the historical and cultural context that gave rise to Baroque Rome. An expert guide will accompany you through the masterpieces, behind-the-scenes stories, and anecdotes that made the art of the greatest sculptor of the 17th century truly unique.