Rediscovered and promoted in the 20th century by the critic Roberto Longhi, Caravaggio is now an admired and loved painter. An exhibition at Villa Bardini retraces this discovery, made by a prominent intellectual after whom a Foundation is named, based in Florence (and which can be visited).
The exhibition Caravaggio and the 20th Century. Roberto Longhi and Anna Banti thus reconstructs the critical fortunes of an exceptional painter, even though it is not really an exhibition on Caravaggio, but rather a journey towards his valuation: only one work by the 17th-century master will be on view, The Boy Bitten by a Lizard.
Also on show, however, is a Caravaggist such as Jusepe de Ribera with the painting Apostles. And to reaffirm the intellectual role of the Banti Longhi couple in 20th century Italy, the exhibition displays works by 20th century artists, as well as photographs and correspondence with leading European intellectuals, works by Longhi himself and ten paintings by Giorgio Morandi, a family friend. Longhi and Banti were also divulgators of art, as evidenced by some documentaries made for TV and which can be seen in the exhibition.
From March 27 to July 20 at Villa Bardini, more details in the event page .
