Rome is one of the world’s greatest art capitals — an open-air museum where ancient ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, Baroque drama, and contemporary creativity coexist. Beyond its famous museums, Rome’s art history is shaped by rivalries, passions, scandals, and hidden stories still visible today in churches, streets, and palaces near the Spanish Steps and Via Margutta.

Art in Rome: A City Built by Artists

Artists from every era have shaped Rome — adorning its ceilings, walls, chapels, and streets. But Roman art is not only about masterpieces; it’s about the lives behind them. Here are seven fascinating stories that reveal how Rome became a living archive of creativity, ambition, and reinvention.

1. Michelangelo’s Body Was Stolen from a Roman Church

Michelangelo spent much of his later life in Rome, where he worked under papal patronage and shaped the city’s artistic identity. When he died in 1564, his body was buried in the Church of Santi Apostoli. Florence, however, refused to let its greatest artist rest in Rome. On orders from Cosimo I de’ Medici, Michelangelo’s nephew secretly smuggled the body out of the city — hidden in a bale of hay — and returned it to Florence.

Today, Michelangelo’s monumental tomb by Vasari can be seen in Santa Croce, but Rome still carries his spirit in stone.

2. Raphael Died at 37 — and Lies in the Pantheon

Raphael arrived in Rome in 1508 and quickly became one of the Vatican’s most celebrated artists. His death in 1520, at just 37, shocked the city. Legend claims it followed an excess of passion, but what remains certain is his final wish: to be buried in the Pantheon.

His tomb lies beneath one of antiquity’s most sacred monuments, bearing an epitaph that captures his genius:
“While he lived, Nature feared to be outdone; when he died, she feared she herself would die.”

3. Rome’s Baroque Genius Wasn’t Only Male

For centuries, Roman art history sidelined women — until Artemisia Gentileschi reclaimed her place. Born in Rome in 1593, she mastered Caravaggio’s dramatic chiaroscuro and painted women as powerful protagonists rather than passive muses.

Her Judith Slaying Holofernes stands today as one of the most striking works of the Baroque era. After four centuries of silence, Artemisia’s legacy finally shines alongside Rome’s greatest masters.

4. Caravaggio: Rome’s Rebellious Genius

Caravaggio revolutionized painting with raw realism, shadow, and spiritual tension — but lived as turbulently as he painted. Known for violence and scandal, he fled Rome in 1606 after killing a man in a duel.

Yet his legacy remains deeply embedded in the city. Visitors can admire his masterpieces for free in Roman churches, including San Luigi dei Francesi and Santa Maria del Popolo, where light and darkness still clash with cinematic intensity.

5. Picasso Found Love — and Inspiration — on Via Margutta

In 1917, Pablo Picasso came to Rome to design sets for Jean Cocteau’s ballet Parade. He lived on Via Margutta, just steps from where Margutta 19 and Margutta 54 now stand.

During that Roman spring, Picasso painted The Harlequin and the Necklace and The Italian Woman — and met Olga Khokhlova, who would become his first wife. A century later, Via Margutta still breathes the same artistic energy that once inspired him.

6. Many of Rome’s Greatest Masterpieces Are Free to See

Some of the world’s most important artworks remain exactly where they were created: inside Rome’s churches.

Free masterpieces include:

• Michelangelo’s Moses at San Pietro in Vincoli
• Caravaggio’s paintings at San Luigi dei Francesi and Santa Maria del Popolo
• Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa at Santa Maria della Vittoria
• Raphael’s Chigi Chapel and Filippo Lippi’s frescoes at Santa Maria sopra Minerva

In Rome, art rewards those who wander with open eyes.

7. Rome’s Art Scene Is Still Alive and Evolving

Rome is not frozen in the past. Contemporary institutions like MAXXI and MACRO continue to shape the city’s creative future.

Beyond the historic centre, neighborhoods such as Ostiense, Tor Marancia, and Pigneto have become open-air galleries of street art — where murals reflect modern identity, politics, and change. Rome has never stopped reinventing beauty.

Stay Where Art Lives

At Rome Luxury Suites, art is part of everyday life — from curated interiors to streets that once inspired Picasso himself. Staying near the Spanish Steps and Via Margutta means living Rome as artists once did: slowly, curiously, and with intention.

For reservations or tailor-made art experiences, our concierge team is delighted to assist at info@romeluxurysuites.com.

FAQ — Art in Rome

Is Rome a good city for art lovers?
Absolutely. Rome offers an unparalleled concentration of ancient, Renaissance, Baroque, and contemporary art.

Where can I see art for free in Rome?
Many masterpieces are located inside churches, including works by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Bernini, and Raphael.

What area is best to stay in for art exploration?
The Spanish Steps and Tridente area provide walking access to museums, churches, galleries, and Via Margutta.

Can Rome Luxury Suites organize private art experiences?
Yes. We offer curated itineraries, private guides, museum visits, and chauffeur services.