Artful Jaunts

Celebrate Our Caravaggio in Rome

The Nelson-Atkins Museum is pleased to offer its patrons a unique six day experience in Rome! Led by Julián Zugazagoitia, Director of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, this trip showcases a wide variety of art and architecture in Rome. We plan to make sure we dedicate time to appreciate the Nelson-Atkin's Caravaggio. In addition, this trip includes several special access opportunties, including a private visit to the Vatican museum and catered dinner at Galleria Doria Pamphilj. We have additional private visits at San Luigi dei Francesi, Palazzo Odescalchi, and a private collector's home for lunch.

We will stay at the five star Baglioni Hotel Regina situated in the heart of Rome. The hotel is a sophisticated Palazzo with classic Itlaian Art deco style. Located near much of Rome's ancient sites. You will have no trouble filling your evening when you have leisure time.

The trip starts in the afternoon of Sunday, May 4 (a flight from the US would leave on May 3 to Rome) and ends on Saturday, May 10 with departures at your leisure from Rome.

The Nelson-Atkins Rome trip is priced at $10,750 per person in a double occupancy and $13,250 for a single occupancy and includes all transportation, lodging, and specific meals during your trip. This trip is limited to 20 guests and your booking is requested by January 29th, 2025. A minimum of 16 guests is required to operate this trip.

If you have any questions about this program your Nelson-Atkins contact is Kaitlyn Bunch at kbunch@nelson-atkins.org. Your Artful contact is Latasha Thomas, Customer Experience Manager at Artful, at latasha@artfuljaunts.com and 781-658-2270. Latasha is available to help with any questions during the registration process.

No refund will be provided for cancellations within sixty days of the trip's start date. If the museum has another patron to fill a spot a substitution will be allowed. After the trip has commenced, no refunds are available, even if the client does not partake in all of the trip's activities or leaves the trip early. We highly recommend trip insurance offered when booking.

All programming may change and is subject to availability of hosts, collectors and artists.

Book Rome

Daily Itinerary

Price and Inclusions

Day 1

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Arrivals

Check into the 5 star hotel Baglioni Hotel Regina.

Welcome reception

We will enjoy welcome cocktails to kick off our wonderful trip.

Baglioni Hotels is part of the history of Italian style, culture, & traditions. Founded in 1974 by Roberto & Lisa Polito with their first location in Punta Ala, Tuscany. The hotels are elegant and sophisticated with an intimate, homely atmosphere. Over the years, the hotel has developed a unique concept of luxury that has translated into "tailor-made" service, which is part of what makes guests feel at ease.

Day 2

Monday, May 5, 2025

	Studio visit We will visit studio of artist Alberto Di Fabio in the artsy neighborhood of San Lorenzo.
	Museum visit A private visit to Fondazione D'ARC collection with owners Giovannie Floridi and Clara Dattim lead by Chief Curator Giuliana Benassi. The collections offers a rich journey through 20th and 21st-century art, including works from the post-war period, abstract art, kinetic and programmed art, arte povera, postmodernism, and the multifaceted languages of the new millennium.
	Lunch Light lunch at Fondazione D'ARC.
	Museum visit A visit to Museo dell'Ara Pacis, contemporary art exhibition to see Franco Fontana. Retrospective.The first time 200 photographic works of the artists have been on display.
	Relax We will stop at the hotel to rest before the evening programming.
	Dinner Early dinner before evening programming.
	Museum visit Private after hours visit led by art historian and Caravaggio specialist Sara Magister at San Luigi dei Francesi to admire three masterpieces by Caravaggio: The Calling of Saint Mathew, Inspiration of Saint Matthew and Martyrdom of Saint Matthew.

The French National Church, founded by Cardinal Giulio dei Medici (future Pope Clement VII) in 1518, was completed in 1589 by Domenico Fontana, based on a design by Giacomo Della Porta. In the last chapel of the left aisle, there is the Contarelli Chapel, named after the Italianized name of the French cardinal Mathieu Cointrel, which houses three paintings by Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, made between 1599 and 1602. In homage to the name of the client, the artworks are dedicated to St. Matthew and represent: the Calling of St. Matthew, St. Matthew and the Angel and the Martyrdom of St. Matthew.

Day 3

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

	Gallery visit Piazza del Popolo for a visit of the Cerasi chapel in the Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo, showcasing two masterpieces by Caravaggio and one by Annibale Carracci: Crucifixion of St. Peter (Caravaggio), Conversion of Saint Paul (Caravaggio) and Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Carracci)
	Gallery visit Galleria Borghese for a highlights visit of the collection with special focus on Caravaggio paintings, including "Boy with a Basket of Fruit" and "David with the Head of Goliath."
	Lunch Enjoy lunch at restaurant Santa Cristina al Quirinale.
	Gallery visit Continue on a short walk to Palazzo Colonna for a guided tour of the spectacular Galleria, a true jewel of Roman Baroque.
	Relax At the end of the visit, transfer back to the hotel.
	Museum visit Visit to the Fondazione Memmo. The goal is to contribute to promoting the interaction between artists and the city of Rome, its places, its stories, its excellence in the field of artistic techniques and artisan tradition. Through this new mission, the Memmo Foundation wishes to promote the present to contribute to the development of our future.
	Dinner Dinner at Michelin star restaurant Moma.

The painting is one of two regarding conversations the other the Conversion of Paul. The painting records the moment when Saul of Tarsus, on his way to Damascus to annihilate the Christian community there, is struck blind by a brilliant light and hears the voice of Christ saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?...And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid, but they heard not the voice..." (Acts 22:6-11). Elsewhere Paul claims to have seen Christ during a vision, and it is on this basis that he grounds his claim be recognised as an Apostle: "Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?" (I Corinthians 9:1).

Day 4

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

	Private visit Take a short walk to Gagosian Gallery for a visit of the exhibition Richard Avedon Italian Days and a special behind the scenes visit of the private collection in their offices.
	Museum visit Continue to MAXXI, for a visit of the exhibition on show The Large Glass. We will be accompanied by independent curator Manuela Annibali, who will give us insights of the Rome contemporary art scene.
	Lunch We will dine at a nearby restaurant.
	Rest Return to the hotel to relax until evening programming.
	Museum collection Reconvene in the evening and depart to Palazzo Barberini for a special after hours visit, including a greeting from the Director and guided tour of the Caravaggio exhibition.
	Dinner We will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant either Serre Barberini or Vladimiro

The classical myth of Narcissus has been frequently represented since antiquity, the version by Caravaggio is distinguished by its unusual composition as if the painter had turned the canvas 180 degrees to obtain the figure's reflected image. The composition is appropriate to the story of the young hunter who fell in love with his own image mirrored in the water. His lips are parted, suggesting the climax of Narcissus' longing: having realized the paradoxical nature of his passion, he wastes away on the verge of the spring.

Day 5

Thursday May 8, 2025

	Studio visits A full morning of studio visits in the artsy neighborhood of San Lorenzo. Visits will include: Pastificio Cerere with Director Claudia Cavalieri. And visits to the studios of artists Pietro Ruffo, Leonardo Petrucci, MeletiosMeletiou, Roberta Mariani and Maria Cristina Finucci.
	Lunch We will dine at Pastificio San Lorenzo.
	Museum visit Enjoy a visit to Villa Medici to explore the historic rooms, the Renaissance gardens with their monumental facade, and the Belvedere, which offers spectacular views of Rome. Exhibition on show: CHROMOTHERAPIA Feel-Good Color Photography
	Evening at leisure Opportunity to explore Rome at your leisure.

Villa Medici is one of the finest examples of a Renaissance villa, once the residence of Cardinal Ferdinando I de' Medici and, since 1803, home to the French Academy in Rome. It features historic gardens and rooms, as well as the more hidden corners, such as the studiolo of Ferdinando de' Medici, also known as the "Bird Room." Located on the Pincio Hill, Villa Medici also showcases a breathtaking view of the historic center of Rome. A must see location.

Day 6

Friday May 9, 2025

	Private visit Before hours visit to the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with art historian and Vatican specialist Ludovia Schmidt.
	Breakfast Buffet breakfast at Bistrot della Vigna inside the Vatican Museums.
	Gallery visit Visit Galleria Lorcan O'Neill to see the exhibition Giorgio Griffa.
	Gallery visit Short transfer to the Galleria Anna Marra for a visit of the exhibition on view.
	Private collection Walk next door to the home of gallerist Anna Marra for a visit of her private collection.
	Lunch Enjoy lunch at Anna Marra's home.
	Museum visit Visit to the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria to admire the sculpture "The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa", a masterpiece by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
	Relax Rest of the afternoon at leisure to rest after our early start.
	Museum visit Guided tour of the collection at Galleria Doria Pamphilij with art historian Sara Pietrantoni, followed by a drinks reception and dinner in a private room of the palace.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio's painting, The Conversion of Saint Paul, depicts the moment when St. Paul underwent a divine intervention and turned towards Christianity. The painting was commissioned for the Cerasi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo, a popular subject at that time in the Catholic Church.

Day 7

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Departures at leisure

Check-out is at 12:00 pm.

Prices

$10,750 per person in a double occupancy room
$13,250 per person in a single occupancy room

Inclusions:

Accommodations Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Entry and expert-led tours to all museums, studies, galleries, and villas
All meals and cocktail programs on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
All travel to studios, museums and exhibits from hotel
All fees and gratuities, including baggage porter services

Exclusions:

Breakfast is not included in the program
Dinner is not included on Tuesday and Thursday
Please note, flights, airport transfers to Rome is not provided with our programming