The Borgia Pope, Pinturicchio, and Giulia Farnese Virtual Tour : A Renaissance Scandal Hidden for Centuries
Join us to discover the story of a lost masterpiece, a powerful pope, a legendary woman, and one of the most fascinating scandals of the Italian Renaissance.
In this fascinating virtual tour, we’ll uncover the extraordinary story of Pinturicchio’s Bambin Gesù delle Mani — the Baby Jesus of the Hands — a mysterious painting connected to the Borgia Apartments in the Vatican and hidden from view for almost 500 years.
At the center of this story stands Pope Alexander VI, one of the most controversial popes in history, and Giulia Farnese, his celebrated mistress, admired in her time as one of the most beautiful women in Rome. According to tradition, her image may have been immortalized in this highly controversial artwork, creating a connection between sacred imagery, political power, and forbidden desire.
The painting’s story is as dramatic as the world that produced it. Considered too scandalous, it was removed, cut into pieces, and forgotten for centuries — until its rediscovery brought back one of the most intriguing mysteries of the Renaissance.
Together, we’ll explore the secrets behind this captivating masterpiece, the refined artistry of Pinturicchio, the atmosphere of the Borgia court, and the powerful role that images played in shaping beauty, faith, reputation, and scandal.
Reserve your spot now for this unforgettable virtual journey into one of art history’s most intriguing stories!
Check in your timezone here
Time zones examples:
- Rome Time: 08.00 pm
- London Time: 07.00 pm
- Los Angeles Time: 11.00 am
The tour will last approximately 1 hour. At the end of the tour you will be given the chance to interact and make questions just like a live tour. The tour takes place in English!
ℹ️ How much does the virtual tour cost?
Our virtual tours are tip-based and not free, they rely entirely on contributions from participants. This means we do not impose a fixed ticket price to join. Every participant is welcome to take part in the tour and decide how much to contribute based on their satisfaction and personal budget.
❗Please note❗: To ensure the sustainability of the project, we regularly monitor the donations received, based on participation in previous tours, and, if necessary, we may apply participation limits or suspend accounts.This is essential to maintain the quality of our tours, ensure fairness, and continue rewarding the valuable work of our guides. You can leave a tip here:
How to Join:
The tour will be hosted on Zoom. To register, you are required to enter your full name (first and last name). After the registration, you will receive via email a personal link to access the virtual event. To protect your privacy, your camera will be disabled during the event.