Caravaggio at the Scuderie del Quirinale ends on June 13th and you would have to travel around the world from Dublin to Missouri in order to see these works. If you are in that neck of the woods and you can get over there, you definitely want to get your tickets ahead or you will have a nightmare line ahead of you!
It's busy in there and people are listening to the very long commentary on their listening devices but as so as they are done they clear out. Be patient.
O.K. so Caravaggio? He was totally nuts, but the man could paint. Caravaggio was sort of a running theme for our stay in Rome. We saw about 25 at the big exhibit at the Scuderie del Quirinale, 2 at Santa Maria del Popolo, 3 at San Luigi Francesi, and another couple at the Palazzo Barberini and the Capitoline Museum. He sort of took over, and though many of them are a little creepy, others are incredibly beautiful and moving, and all of them are just ...extraordinary.
Frankly it made me want to come home and paint all my canvases black and go from there, although I doubt that was his method! It's all about the light, the facial expressions and his finding places to use red fabric! Well, that is my little non-academic opinion, but there you have it.
St. John the Baptist 1604
Isn't John beautiful?! There were three John the Baptists in this exhibition alone. He did at least eight, not counting the three great narrative scenes of his death. This is my favorite. In person his face is so pensive, sad and contemplative. The shadows around is eyes draw you in. My Mom and I were standing there just mesmerized.
Cattura di Cristo nell'orto
This large piece is unbelievable. There is so much movement and chaos and yet Christ's face is so incredibly beautiful and at peaceful but heartbreaking at the same time. I don't know if I will ever make it to Dublin, so I felt incredibly blessed to see it. It was a jaw-dropper. I just can't get over his face!
This next piece is not in the exhibit. It's an incredible freebie! There are three huge Caravaggios at the beautiful church San Luigi dei Francesi near Piazza Navona. (Just east of the North end!) This is my favorite with it's swirling fabric and composition, his use of light ... and St. Matthew's wonderful face ...
St. Matthew and the Angel
The catalog for the exhibition was amazing, with great details of the paintings but alas, too heavy to carry. However, my Capricorn Dad went back to the hotel, did a little research and it will soon be available on Amazon.com for you Caravaggio lovers out there. Never the same as seeing them in person, of course, but still beautiful and inspiring.
Hope you have a peacefully inspiring day!
Blessings and light!
4 comments:
Magnificent...pretty spell-binding art..gorgeous! yes he is an amazing soul!! Wonderful post..thankyou!! I do feel inspired now..blessings!
Have a sparkling wkd!!
Kiki~
WOW...the one of Christ is so incredible, the chaos all around him and he the peaceful one...it reminds me of the market scenes in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'...and the angel with St Matthew reminds me that not all angels are chubby and fluffy white clouds...they can be VERY intense...gorgeous.
Caravaggio was one of the first painters that really struck me as a child and, to this day, I always seek out his work when I'm in a museum. I wish I could make it to see this collection!
Caravaggio's work is so fantastic! Sadly, I did not make it to the exhibit while in Rome. I did tour the Galleria Borghese.....unbelievable.
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