The Renaissance building was begun in 1523 for Thomas Leroy, a French diplomat accredited to the Holy See, upon the project by Antonio da Sangallo the Young.

Raised to the peerage by François I of France he added the lily of France to the ermine of Brittany, his country of origin. The lily was mistake for the iris of the Farnese and the building was called the “Piccola Farnesina”. 

It was partially destroyed between 1898 and 1905, nevertheless the Renaissance elements are still visible. The building is small but harmoniously elegant. 

Today is the seat of the Museo di Scultura Antica Giovanni Barracco and houses the Collection of Ancient statues given to the city by the baron Giovanni Barracco.