Angels at the Capitoline Museums: exhibition May 13 – November 1, 2026

The Capitoline Museums present ANGELS. Messengers, guardians and wayfarers, an exhibition tracing representations of angels from the Middle Ages to contemporary art. Installed in the ground-floor galleries of Palazzo dei Conservatori, the show is dedicated to the memory of Pope Francis and brings together works from Italian museums, private collections and ecclesiastical institutions.

What to see

The exhibition is organised into three thematic sections—Messengers, Guardians and Wayfarers—exploring the angelic figure as announcer, protector and companion. Notable loans come from institutions such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Capodimonte Museum and the National Galleries of Ancient Art.

• Highlights: Pietro da Cortona’s “Guardian Angel”, Carlo Dolci’s “Announcing Angel”, and Guercino’s “Saint Matthew with the Angel”.
• Rare exhibits on display, including the Spadarino “Guardian Angel” temporarily transferred from Rieti.
• A selection that contrasts religious tradition with contemporary interpretations.

Practical information

• Location: Capitoline Museums, Palazzo dei Conservatori – Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome.
• Dates: May 13 to November 1, 2026.
• Opening hours: daily 9:30 AM–7:30 PM.
• How to get there: buses serving Piazza Venezia area (Colosseo stop); Metro line B.
• Bookings/Info: phone 060608 (information and reservations).

The exhibition offers a concise chronological and thematic reading of angelic imagery in Western visual culture, juxtaposing well-known masterpieces with less-exhibited works. It is suitable for visitors interested in religious iconography, art history and contemporary reflections on spiritual themes.