For the first time since its discovery over 60 years ago, a portrait by the renowned Baroque artist Caravaggio is on public display at Rome’s Palazzo Barberini. This rare artwork, depicting Monsignor Maffeo Barberini—later Pope Urban VIII—will be exhibited from November 23, 2023, to February 23, 2025.
Background on the Portrait
The painting, attributed to Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio in 1963, has been privately held and unseen by the general public or even most art specialists until now. It is one of the few surviving Caravaggio portraits, as many of his works have been lost or destroyed over time. The artwork portrays Barberini seated, gesturing with his right hand as though issuing commands. Experts believe it was created around the turn of the 17th century, preceding Barberini’s papacy, which began in 1623.
Curator Paola Nicita described the piece as having an “almost magnetic power,” emphasizing the significance of experiencing it in person rather than through photographs.
Significance of the Display
The portrait’s unveiling takes place at the National Gallery of Ancient Art in Palazzo Barberini—a historic venue closely tied to Urban VIII. The palace, constructed during his papacy by renowned architects Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Carlo Maderno, remained under Barberini family ownership until after World War II.
Thomas Clement Salomon, Director of the National Galleries of Ancient Art, highlighted the painting’s historical and artistic importance, noting its status as a masterpiece of the chiaroscuro technique, which Caravaggio famously used to bring his subjects to life.
Caravaggio’s Legacy
Caravaggio, who died in 1610 at just 38 years old, is celebrated for his dramatic use of light and shadow and his revolutionary approach to realism. His works have influenced generations of artists, and his portraits are particularly rare, making this exhibition a landmark event in the art world.
This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to engage with a significant piece of Caravaggio’s oeuvre while celebrating the enduring legacy of the Barberini family in the arts.