In Rome's National Gallery of Modern Art

One of Rome's best museums is only a 15 minute walk from Piazza del Popolo yet it is almost completely unknown.

The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea in Italian, is set in a park on the north side of the Pincio Hill.

When Bill and I last went they had an exhibit of modern and contemporary art carpets.

This carpet reminds me of the "shag" rugs of the 70s. It looks just like a lawn. Tickled our funny bone. Sorry, but we didn't get the artist's name. 

"Ron, Ron" by Marion Baruch, from 1972, also made me smile. What can I say about it? The 70s again!

How gorgeous is "On the Way to Marseille," a woolen tapestry by Jana Setback, from 2015.

Here is a closer look at the quality of the weaving.

The curators of the museum that Bill and I call the Moderna decided to mix 19th century work with 20th and 21st century works. The resulting installation is very refreshing.

An over-the-top 19th century work like "Diana of Ephesus and the Slaves" by Giulio Aristide Sartorio, from 1899, is tremendous fun in a modern context.

We found many, wonderful works by Italian artists we did not know. Here's "Bois de Boulonge Racetrack" by Giuseppe De Nittis, 1881. We would like to see more by De Nittis.

The rooms are arranged so that that visitors fit in to the tableaus and become part of an ever changing installation. The painting is by Giacomo Balla: "Villa Borghese -- Parco dei daini," 1910.

I took the picture above. I didn't know that Bill was taking a picture of the same visitor from a different angle. The gallery visitor looks great from both behind and from the side. Sculpture by Rodin.

"The Battle of Dogali" by Michele Cammarano, 1896 and "Underdog," sculptures by Liliana Moro, 2005.

We loved "Alpen," a gorgeous multipanel painting by Gerhard Richter, 1968.

Look at these loose brushstrokes! He is a master.

We'll leave you with this lovely Alberto Giacometti sculpture, "Tete qui regarde," from 1927.

These cats have been guarding the steps of the museum for years. This cat is gazing back toward the Piazza del Popolo. If you like art, add the Moderna to your "must see" list.