Caravaggio takes center stage in Rome once again, at Palazzo Barberini, with an exhibition that offers a remarkable journey through his art. It presents a unique opportunity to admire not only his most famous masterpieces but also rarely seen paintings and some of his latest discoveries.
Michelangelo Merisi’s art marked a true revolution, not only in painting but across the entire cultural and social landscape of his time. With an exceptional selection of works, the exhibition invites us to reflect on the changes Caravaggio introduced to art, creating a new way of seeing and representing reality.
A Journey Through Art History
Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, had a massive impact on the art of his time. The exhibition is divided into four sections, each exploring a different chapter of his career. Thanks to previously unseen works and rare discoveries, visitors will get a glimpse of how Caravaggio revolutionized the artistic scene, creating pieces that still captivate with their emotional intensity and raw realism.
A particularly significant moment in the exhibition is the Portrait of Maffeo Barberini, which is being displayed for the first time after more than sixty years since its rediscovery. This painting will be displayed alongside masterpieces such as Ecce Homo, which returns to Italy after centuries of absence, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, which returns to Palazzo Barberini, where it was once housed for years. Additionally, works like Martha and Mary Magdalene and Saint Francis in Ecstasy enrich the selection of Caravaggio’s masterpieces, many of which have never been exhibited together before.
source wikipedia
Thematic Sections of the Exhibition
The exhibition is organized into four thematic sections that cover a period of about fifteen years in Caravaggio’s life, from his arrival in Rome in 1595 to his death in 1610. Each section explores a different aspect of his career, highlighting moments of artistic innovation and his most significant works.
Caravaggio Roman Debut: The Challenge of the Eternal City
The first section, Roman Debut, takes us back to the early years of Caravaggio in Rome. Arriving in the capital around 1595, Caravaggio faced the challenges of a precarious life, surviving on odd jobs and painting for little money. It was during this time that he began experimenting with the representation of reality, an approach that would become the hallmark of his art. Works like Mondafrutto and The Sick Bacchus testify to this period of experimentation, where Caravaggio developed a style that challenged the conventions of the time.
source wikipedia
In 1597, through his encounter with the banker Francesco Maria del Monte, Caravaggio secured his first major commission and began to make a name for himself in the Roman art world. This section also features his first major sacred work: Saint Francis in Ecstasy, commissioned by Ottavio Costa.
Enlightening the Shadows: Portraiture and the New Vision
The second section, Enlightening the Shadows, delves into the lesser-known aspect of Caravaggio’s work: his portraiture. While Caravaggio is primarily known for his sacred and mythological scenes, his portraits are equally important, although few have survived. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see, for the first time, two versions of the Portrait of Maffeo Barberini, which showcase Caravaggio’s talent for capturing the raw truth of his subjects. Alongside these, other famous portraits are displayed, such as that of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, and full-length paintings like Judith Decapitating Holofernes.
Sacred Drama Between Rome and Naples: Artistic Maturity
The third section, Sacred Drama Between Rome and Naples, immerses us in the more mature period of Caravaggio’s career, when his art became increasingly intense and dramatic. Here, we find some of his most famous religious works, such as the series for the Contarelli Chapel, where Caravaggio addresses life and death with unprecedented force. The section also includes works created during his time in Naples, where Caravaggio expresses all of his dramatic flair, such as Ecce Homo and The Flagellation.
source wikipedia
Endgame: The Final Years and the Myth
Finally, the section Endgame focuses on Caravaggio’s last years. After committing murder and fleeing Rome, the artist spent the final years of his life in Naples, Malta, and Sicily, desperately seeking forgiveness for his crimes and hoping to return to the capital. In these last works, such as The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula and Saint John the Baptist, Caravaggio expresses his inner struggle and need for atonement.
Caravaggio 2025, an Extraordinary Event
This exhibition is an unmissable opportunity to explore Caravaggio’s art in all its complexity. With loans from world-renowned museums like the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and the Detroit Institute of Arts, the exhibition provides an immersive experience that allows visitors to explore the evolution of the artist and his lasting impact on art history. Another rarity on display is Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto, Caravaggio’s only known mural, which will be visible for this special occasion.
The exhibition celebrates the greatness of Caravaggio and invites us to reflect on his innovative spirit and his contribution to art, offering a new lens through which to understand his genius and his unparalleled impact on painting and culture of his time. This is an experience that promises to leave an indelible mark on the hearts of art lovers from around the world.
