Scipione Borghese

Scipione Borghese was an influential Italian art collector and politician in the early 17th century, serving as papal nephew and cardinal. He is best known for amassing a significant art collection, including works by Caravaggio and Bernini, which he displayed in the Villa Borghese. Borghese played a key role in promoting Baroque art and was a major patron, shaping the cultural landscape of Rome. His collection forms the core of the modern Galleria Borghese museum. Despite his artistic achievements, he was also known for his political power and personal ambition within the papal hierarchy.