Suicidal Gauls and Talking Statues

Palazzo Altemps

The Palazzo Altemps is one of three locations for the National Museums of Rome.  These museums are a great deal more user friendly with English labels and explanations of provenance than the private palazzos. This site houses a collection of Greek and Roman sculpture that belonged to several families of the Roman nobility between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The works are on display in beautiful rooms decorated with frescoes on the walls and ceilings. Each room as only a few pieces giving the eye time to appreciate and not wander. The Altemps is a Renaissance work of art in itself with a chapel within the palace itself. Of course, Altemps was a Cardinal.  Those guys!!!  This has been one of my favorite spots, particularly the two pieces The Ludovisi Sarcophagus and the Galation Suicide.   Speculation is that the Galatian Suicide was part of a group that included the Dying Gaul now at the Borghese Gallery.  

Pasquino, the Talking Statue

On our way home we came across the sculpture of Pasquino.  This is one of six sculptures or fountains around Rome that are called talking statues because of the tradition of attaching anonymous criticism to the form. On Pasquino we noticed a number of criticisms that had the heading TRUMP.  I forwarded the script to our apartment manager with a request for translation.  She translated a few words and then said, "basically it is a poetic form of throwing shit on Trump."  We plan to return and throw our own "shit posting" on Trump.  

With some time remaining in our day, we tried to make it to the Santa Maria en Cosmedian where one can find The Mouth of Truth.  Our plan was to re-enact the scene from Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.  With about 5 minutes to spare before closing, we arrived at the church to find a waiting line of about 50 people.  So...a quick picture through the gate sufficed.  

Another beautiful sunset from the Ponte Cestio, Tiber Island ended another perfect day.  See all of it at flickr.

Observations of Two Visitors
  There are some in Rome who disparage Trump as much as we.
  Sunsets never get old.
   Popular sites are not always worth the wait.

Fountains
    Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (again)
   Fontana Tritoni