Art and culture

This section “Art and culture” explores some themes related to Rome, its heritage in particular. So far we have been interested in two great artistic movements that have marked the city and contributed to its splendor, including their emblematic protagonists. Thus we present a synthesis of the Renaissance, and its impact in Rome with the main works and the route to discover them, the great masters of the time like Michelangelo or Raphael. Similarly, the baroque period is explored with Borromini, Bernini and Caravaggio.

The Baroque in Rome

Cornaro Chapel with the ecstasy of Saint Teresa of Bernini in the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome

The Baroque is an artistic movement that extends from the mid-sixteenth century, until the mid-eighteenth that marked European art. Its origin is in Italy, where there are many beautiful expressions, especially in Rome. This style touches all areas, such as architecture, painting or music. This period was called “baroque” after the end of the 18th century.
It is characterized ...

Renaissance in Rome

The Renaissance (Rinascimento in Italian) is a period of great cultural change in Europe that began in Italy at the end of the 14th century, and in the same country developed until the beginning of the 16th century. It constitutes the transition between medieval and modern Europe.
It is in literature that this movement took its source, with in ...

Borromini: a particular figure of the Baroque in Rome

Francesco Borromini (1599 – 1667), a major architect of the Roman Baroque, developed an original style by transforming classical forms with a strong geometric dimension. He designed the church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, a Baroque masterpiece. A rival of Bernini, his career was marked by tensions and melancholy. His influence remained limited in his time, but his work was rediscovered from the 19th century onward.

Raphael in Rome: a genius of the Renaissance

autorretrato de raffaello sanzio y amigo c1518 louvre paris

Raffael (1483-1520), eine ikonische Figur der Renaissance, hat in Rom einen bleibenden Eindruck im künstlerischen und architektonischen Bereich hinterlassen, wie z. B.
seine bedeutenden Fresken im Vatikan und in der Villa Farnesina, mit einem Stil, der eine feine Linienführung und Farbbeherrschung miteinander verbindet und den Manierismus auslöst. Viele seiner Werke sind in Rom und Museen zu sehen.

Caravaggio: the master of chiaroscuro in Rome

Portrait de Caravage Par Ottavio Leoni, 1621

Caravaggio (1571–1610) revolutionized painting by combining realism with dramatic use of chiaroscuro, leaving a lasting influence on the Baroque. Trained in Milan before rising to prominence in Rome, he experienced a rapid ascent thanks to powerful patrons. His violent temperament forced him into exile after a murder, taking him to Naples, Malta, and Sicily. Today, his masterpieces can be seen in several churches and museums in Rome, illustrating his major impact on the history of art.

Bernini: major baroque artist in Rome

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680), bedeutende Figur des römischen Barocks, herausragend in Bildhauerei, Architektur und Malerei. Seine vom Theater beeinflusste Kunst zeichnet sich durch Bewegung und spektakuläre Effekte aus. Er arbeitete unter mehreren Päpsten und gestaltete Rom mit ikonischen Werken wie der Kolonnaden von St. Peter und dem Brunnen der vier Flüsse. Viele seiner Werke befinden sich in Palästen, Kirchen und Museen.

Michelangelo in Rome

Michelangelo (1475–1564), an iconic artist of the Renaissance, excelled in sculpture, painting, architecture, and poetry. He developed a style characterized by anatomical realism and expressive intensity. In Rome, he created major works such as the Pietà and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. His influence left a lasting mark on art history, inspiring generations of artists. A perfectionist and solitary figure, he left behind a considerable legacy.

Carlo Maderno: precursor of the baroque in Rome

Carlo Maderno (1556–1629), a Swiss-Italian architect, played a key role in the transition between Mannerism and the Baroque in Rome. Trained under his uncle Domenico Fontana, where he learned technical skills, he distinguished himself with works such as the Church of Santa Susanna and his role as architect on the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica. He was involved in numerous projects, including the construction of the dome of Sant’Andrea della Valle, and trained his nephew Francesco Borromini.

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