by Redazione 19/10/2026
Categories: Exhibitions / Disclaimer
The Borghese Gallery brings together two masterpieces by Titian in a special exhibition that reveals new details about the recently restored “Annunciation” in Treviso Cathedral. This exhibition offers an opportunity to explore the relationship between the sacred, the profane, and classical tradition in the art of the Venetian master.
A unique exhibition at the Borghese Gallery: From October 20 to December 8, 2026, the Roman museum presents “Titian: Dialogues Between the Sacred and the Profane.” The Borghese Gallery Meets the Annunciation from Treviso Cathedral is an exhibition catalog edited by Maria Giovanna Sarti that, for the first time, brings into dialogue Titian’sAnnunciation, on loan from Treviso Cathedral, with the artist’s paintings held in the museum’s permanent collection.
The exhibition is part of the initiatives dedicated to the 450th anniversary of Titian’s death and continues the series of thematic exhibitions at the Galleria Borghese, designed to explore specific themes and focal points of the collection through comparison with works from other institutions. A similar experience was offered in 2022 with *Titian: Dialogues of Nature and Love*, which juxtaposed the *Nymph and Shepherd* from the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna with several paintings by Titian from the Borghese collection.
The centerpiece of the exhibition isthe *Annunciation* from Treviso Cathedral, temporarily relocated due to restoration work on Pordenone’s frescoes in the Malchiostro Chapel, where the altarpiece is housed. The work has also undergone a major conservation treatment that has revealed new details useful for its understanding and interpretation. Among the most significant discoveries is an inscription bearing the date, Titian’s signature, and a reference to the patron.
For the first time, the painting is on display in the room of the Borghese Gallery dedicated to Titian, alongside works already in the collection and, in particular, *Sacred Love * and *Profane Love *. The comparison between the two paintings forms the centerpiece of the exhibition. Although they address different themes,the Annunciation and *Sacred and Profane Love* share elements that allow for a deeper exploration of Titian’s artistic development during those same years. Their juxtaposition invites reflection on the representation of the female figure, the dialogue with classical tradition, and the influence of antiquity on the construction of the image.
Another central theme is that of patronage, whose role emerges clearlyin the Annunciation through the presence of Broccardo Malchiostro, canon of Treviso Cathedral and patron of both the altarpiece and the chapel intended to house it. His figure, depicted kneeling in the background, and the patron’s coat of arms find a significant point of comparison in *Amor Sacro* and *Amor Profano*. The exhibition thus offers the opportunity to observe up close how Titian approached different subjects, developing figurative and compositional solutions capable of connecting classical culture, the religious dimension, and secular sensibilities.
The exhibition has been made possible by a generous loan from the Diocese of Treviso, with scholarly support from the Fondazione Centro Studi Tiziano e Cadore and in collaboration with the Magnifica Comunità di Cadore. The project also benefits from the support of the DBA Group and is dedicated to the memory of Augusto Gentili. The exhibition will be accompanied by a program of events dedicated to highlighting the life and work of Titian.
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| Titian at the Borghese Gallery: In the exhibition “Dossier,” the “Annunciation of Treviso” Meets “Amor Sacro” and “Amor Profano” |
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