Category: Capitoline Museum
-
Allegory – Simone Vouet
“Allegory” Simone Vouet (c1640) In this rich allegory, Simon Vouet explores the power of artistic inspiration. Cherubs descend from above, a radiant winged figure embodies divine creativity, and the artist’s canvas reminds viewers that great art was believed to bridge the earthly and the celestial. Painted in the dramatic Baroque style Vouet brought from Rome…
-
St. John the Baptist with a Ram
St. John the Baptist (1602) Caravaggio. In art, there have been many “interesting” depictions of St.JtB, but this is one of the most thought provoking. Why is he reclined like that? Where are is his clothes? Why is it a ram and not a lamb? Where are the other symbols we are used to seeing…
-
Saint John the Baptist
Guercino, (c.1645) Saint John the BaptistUnlike many Baroque depictions of Saint John the Baptist that emphasize the fiery prophet of the wilderness, Guercino presents a figure of striking quietness and introspection. The young saint lowers his gaze to the scroll inscribed Ecce Agnus Dei (“Behold the Lamb of God”), meditating on the very message he…
-
Finding of Romulus and Remus
Finding of Romulus and Remus (c.1612) Peter Paul Rubens.We always joke that there isn’t an art museum in the world that doesn’t have at least 1 Rubens and the Capitoline Museum is no exception. According to Roman legend, Rome was founded by the twin brothers Romulus and Remus in 753 BC. They were the sons…
-
Penitent Magdalene
Penitent Magdalene (c. 1602) – Domenico TintorettoCreated by Domenico Tintoretto, the talented son of the renowned Venetian master Jacopo Tintoretto, the work presents a moving and deeply human interpretation of Mary Magdalene in penitence. Mary is shown alone in a cave, withdrawn from the distractions of the world and immersed in prayer, reflection, and repentance.…
-
St. Sebastian
On January 20th, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Sebastian. The Baroque Art Accessibility Consortium also celebrates the birth of our first son, Noah. If you have spent any time looking at Baroque art, you will have noticed that St. Sebastian with arrows in his body is a very popular subject. Did…