Starting next week, Caravaggio’s painting the “Adoration of the Shepherds” is going to be restored in public in Rome’s Chamber of Deputies, the lower chamber of the Italian parliament (basically the Italian version of the House of Representatives).
Small groups of tourists and art students will be allowed to watch the restorers at work. The goal is to inspire a greater sense of connection and involvement with Italy’s rich artistic heritage.
The painting doesn’t seem to be in need a huge amount of work. The projected end of the restoration is February of next year, in time for the work to go on display in the Quirinale Palace on the 400th anniversary of Carvaggio’s death.
Caravaggio, whose real name was Michelangelo Merisi, was on the run from the law when he painted the “Adoration of the Shepherds”. He had a notoriously bad temper, which got him in many a brawl. He basically never lived in a city without getting chased out of it after he whupped the wrong guy. In 1606 he killed a man over a tennis match and had to flee Rome with a price on his head.
Over the next 3 years, he went from Naples to Malta (where he got into a brawl and ran) to Sicily (whence he fled because his enemies were trying to kill him) to Naples again (where 4 knights in armor attacked him and wounded him) to Porto Ercole, where he died, apparently from a fever, on his way way back to Rome to ask the Pope for a pardon.
That was in 1610, just 1 year after painting the “Adoration of the Shepherds” during his time in Messina, Sicily.
His chiaroscuro style — dark and light elements contrasting strongly with little or no mid-range — and embrace of naturalism influenced great artists who came after him like Rubens and Rembrandt.
Somebody buy me a ticket to Rome! I want to be there when the restoration happens!
Me too! While I’m there, I’ll pop into the stables and check out the ancient Roman paintings. :boogie:
As if there wasn’t enough things to visit in Rome – I recently visited North Dakota and it could definitely have used some Caravaggio restoration to boost their attractions.
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You just had to content yourself with stomping your feet at the old timey fiddlin’ contest. :giggle:
I find the work of Caravaggio and his life story very interesting, indeed. Messina, is the name of one of my silver flatware patterns. Now I have a connection to the master himself. π
I love Caravaggio’s work too, and his short life certainly was packed with intrigue and adventure. May you eat many a delicious meal with your Messina flatware. π
I saw this in the news from ANSA.It “Four Caravaggio self-portraits
‘Adoration of Shepherds’ may show master at different ages” βββΏββ http://tinyurl.com/yjtfkmf
I read about that too. Thank you for thinking of me! :hattip:
Via ItaliaNEWS Italian group hopes to find Caravaggio’s bones http://tinyurl.com/yzrmdjj
I read about that earlier. I hope they’re successful but it looks a little tenuous at the moment.
We’re entirely, in agreement. :hattip:
I hope someone might enjoy reading this brief article. :hattip: “After a year-long investigation, researchers are 85 per cent sure that bones found in a crypt in Tuscany are those of the artist(Caravaggio).” http://tinyurl.com/2925c3j
I literally just this minute posted an entry about the find. π
Vatican paper: new Caravaggio may have been found. http://tinyurl.com/2fpj9k8 :hattip:
I saw that story. It’s pretty tenuous stuff so I decided to hold off on posting about it. We shall see if it turns out to be real.
“St Lawrence painting not by Caravaggio.” π http://tinyurl.com/2fsofdh
Ah, pity. I can’t say I’m surprised, though.
When I saw a photo of it, I couldn’t imagine how anyone could have mistaken it for the old master’s work. And I’m certainly no expert! Oh, well as the saying goes; “Hope springs eternal.” :yes:
Caravaggioβs portrait of Pope Paul V, “who condemned him to death.” goes on display in Rome video http://alturl.com/4f3a3 :hattip:
Yes indeed. I blogged about that exhibit on Friday. π