Baroque art in Italy

Dramatic lighting, movement, art that activate the viewer's space.

1600 - 1700

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Annibale Carracci, <em>Landscape with the Flight into Egypt</em>
Annibale Carracci, Landscape with the Flight into Egypt

The painting that inspired the rise of French and Italian landscape painting from the 17th to the 19th century.

Violence and drama, Caravaggio’s <em>The Flagellation of Christ</em>
Violence and drama, Caravaggio’s The Flagellation of Christ

Caravaggio captures the brutality of the flagellation.

Elisabetta Sirani, <em>Portia Wounding her Thigh</em>
Elisabetta Sirani, Portia Wounding her Thigh

Sirani primarily celebrates Portia as a courageous heroine, but also pays homage to the work’s intended owner

Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Cathedra Petri (Chair of Saint Peter)
Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Cathedra Petri (Chair of Saint Peter)

Did Peter sit here? Dizzying but unified, light and gold glorify this sacred place.

Artemisia Gentileschi, <em>Conversion of the Magdalene</em>
Artemisia Gentileschi, Conversion of the Magdalene

Gentileschi's Mary Magdalene chooses between a spiritual and worldly path.

The altar tabernacle, Pauline Chapel, Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
The altar tabernacle, Pauline Chapel, Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome

The altar tabernacle of the Pauline Chapel at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome repackages a medieval icon and turns it into a dazzling Baroque trophy.

Il Gesù, Rome
Il Gesù, Rome

Created at a dramatic moment in European history, this explosive ceiling fresco celebrates the triumph of Jesus.

Artemisia Gentileschi, <em>Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes</em>
Artemisia Gentileschi, Judith and Her Maidservant with the Head of Holofernes

Artemisia Gentileschi's image of Judith and her maidservant powerfully showcases the artist's ability to create a dramatic moment

Restoring ancient sculpture in Baroque Rome
Restoring ancient sculpture in Baroque Rome

Restoration of ancient sculptures was a big business in 17th-century Rome.

Caravaggio, <em>The Conversion of St. Paul</em> (or <em>The Conversion of Saul)</em>
Caravaggio, The Conversion of St. Paul (or The Conversion of Saul)

That hoof, that sword—everything is so close! This chapel gives us a privileged view of a private conversion.

Andrea Pozzo, <em>Glorification of Saint Ignatius</em>
Andrea Pozzo, Glorification of Saint Ignatius

Pozzo’s fresco reaffirms the authority of the Catholic Church and hails its expansion across four continents.

Annibale Carracci, <em>Christ Appearing to Saint Peter on the Appian Way</em>
Annibale Carracci, Christ Appearing to Saint Peter on the Appian Way

Lord, where are you going? As Peter recoils in astonishment, a muscular Jesus points the way to Rome.

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