La bellezza !!

 This morning I thought, 'where do I want to spend my day, before heading back to the US tomorrow?'  I decided on the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, a museum I have visited many times and is so splendid that it never gets old.  This museum is unique in that it is actually a home, still inhabited by members of the family.  The Doria Pamphilj line goes way back.  A princely Roman family that can date their pedigree (and general fabulousness) back to the 11th century.  When you visit this gallery, you enter halls and areas that have been designated for visits, and you see areas that are off limits, which is where the family is living.  And oh what a life.  Their home/villa is full to the brim of the family's art collection.  Endless, glorious halls of superb beauty.

One room houses the family's collection of ancient Roman goodness:

The ultimate prize, though, is this family portrait of Pope Innocent X (who was Giovanni Battista Pamphilj) by Velasquez.  Molto famoso!

Two marvelous renderings of Mary Magdalene.  One by Caravaggio, the other by Titian.

Take a quick look at the internal courtyard.....

And the family's private chapel......

Mmmmm..... Looking a bit dehydrated but v v happy!