The Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth will host "Myth and Marble: Ancient Roman Sculpture from the Torlonia Collection" from September 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026. This exhibition features 58 marble masterpieces from the Torlonia Collection, the world's greatest private collection of ancient Roman sculpture, many of which have never left Italy. It marks the first time these works are displayed in North America, and the Kimbell is one of only two U.S. museums to receive this honor. The sculptures range from the fifth century B.C. to the early fourth century A.D., with thematic sections exploring mythology, imperial power, and restoration.
This exhibition matters because it brings rare, historically significant Roman sculptures to American audiences for the first time, many unseen publicly since World War II. The Torlonia Collection's debut in North America offers a unique opportunity to view masterpieces that have survived centuries and were recently conserved after decades in private storage. The show also highlights evolving tastes in art restoration, including creative interventions by artists like Gian Lorenzo Bernini, providing insight into how classical art has been reinterpreted over time.