Galleria Borghese

The lesser-known younger brother of Michelangelo’s Florentine colossus, Bernini’s David stands at just under 5’6”, but there’s no doubt from the looks of him that Goliath doesn’t stand a chance. Of all the celebrated sculptures portraying that plucky biblical hero, Bernini’s is the only one caught in the act—poised to fire his slingshot at the giant, his body twisted and his face clenched with concentration. Photographs don’t do justice to this marble marvel of the Baroque period, which must be viewed in all three dimensions at the magnificent Galleria Borghese in Rome. Never before has the Bible seemed so exhilarating.

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Sculptures abound in Rome, but for serious soul lifting, check out the Borghese Gallery (make reservations in advance). Cardinal Scipio Borghese built the gallery to house his not-too-shabby art collection (works by Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Raphael, to name a few). It's hard to beat viewing Bernini's life-sized Apollo e Daphne in person. The pagan god, Apollo, reaches for the fleeing nymph as she metamorphosizes into a laurel tree. Tree bark envelopes her legs. Delicate leaves sprout from her reaching fingertips. Is there anything that can't be wrought from stone? Don't miss Antonio Canova's lustrous marble Pauline Bonaparte, reclining on a soft pillow, its fabric wrinkling under her body. After, stroll by the looming umbrella pines in Borghese Park and keep an eye peeled for the bright green parrots and swooping swarms of starlings.

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