A rarely seen painting by the Italian master Caravaggio, depicting the future Pope Urban VIII, is set to go on display for the first time in an exhibition in Rome. The painting, titled “The Portrait of Maffeo Barberini”, was authenticated in 1963 and has been part of a private collection since the 1930s. The exhibition, titled “Caravaggio – The Portrait Unveiled”, will run from November 23 to February 23 at the Barberini Palace, which houses part of the National Galleries of Ancient Art.
Gallery director Thomas Clement Salomon described Maffeo Barberini as a powerful man of power and a refined intellectual, making the portrait by Caravaggio of great value. The painting, known for its use of light and shadow, is said to express itself through gestures, particularly focusing on the hands of the subject. The outstretched right hand in the painting is compared to the gesture of Christ in Caravaggio’s famous work, “The Calling of Saint Matthew”.
The exhibition provides a unique opportunity for the public and experts to see a rare Caravaggio portrait, as it has never been lent to an exhibition or seen in a museum before. Paola Nicita, an art historian and curator, highlighted the importance of the painting’s portrayal of the hands and its connection to the artist’s signature style. Overall, the exhibition promises to offer a fascinating insight into Caravaggio’s work and the historical figure of Pope Urban VIII.
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Photo credit www.prestigeonline.com