The acquisition

The acquisition of the terracotta Medallion featuring the portrait of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, signed "GG" in the exergue and definitively attributed to Giuseppe Giorgetti, marks a major enrichment for the collections of VIVE (Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia). The piece fills a significant void: prior to this, the Institute’s holdings included no sculptures by Giorgetti, a key figure closely tied to Bernini’s circle and a prominent contributor to late 17th-century Roman art.

This addition is equally vital for the study of Giuseppe Giorgetti himself. Known works by the sculptor are rare, despite his active career in Rome and his ties to the Barberini family. The medallion expands his catalog and shines a light on an artist who, while lesser known to the general public, remains essential to understanding the evolution and spread of the Berninesque style.

The artwork finds a natural home within VIVE’s extraordinary collection of terracottas, recognized globally for its depth and quality. The Institute’s holdings include pieces from historic collections that richly document 17th-century Roman art through sketches and models by master sculptors like Bernini and Algardi, as well as their close associates, including Melchiorre Cafà, Domenico Guidi, and Antonio Giorgetti.

Giuseppe Giorgetti’s medallion will be displayed in the terracotta sculpture galleries at Palazzo Venezia, entering into direct dialogue with these historic works. Its acquisition brings not only an artwork of exceptional quality into the collection, but also a vital piece to reconstructing the network of artists, collaborators, and workshops that energized 17th-century Rome, offering visitors a richer view of the Berninesque universe.