Caravaggio at Pamphilj
My favorite painter is Caravaggio. I wanted to see a couple sculptures at Pamphilj, but I wanted to see a Caravaggio in person.
I had long admired the works from books and the web, so it was a special feeling to get to see it in person.
I had long admired the works from books and the web, so it was a special feeling to get to see it in person.
in the gallery there are three of his works that are lined up tucked away in a small room. The first one you will come to is John the Baptist, Youth with a Ram. It is a copy of a previous work, but was produced by Caravaggio himself. The original is in the Capitoline Museum also in Rome. There exist 11 copies in total. The painting is controversial because the Ram is a symbol of lust, and it should have been a lamb, as it was supposed to symbolize Christ. As you may judge, the pose is provocative.
The middle painting is considered a masterpiece of Caravaggio’s early style. Rest on the Flight into Egypt. This painting depicts Joseph and Mary with Jesus on the way to Egypt. Mary is beautifully depicted as sleeping with the baby Jesus, while Joseph is holding music for an Angel playing the violin. The sheet music according to the website of the Pamphilj Gallery is from the composer Bauldwijn from the Song of Songs which is for the Virgin Mary. The website further directed that Joseph is depicted as a regular man with a tired and worried expression.
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt 1597
The final Caravaggio in the room is also considered a Masterpiece called The Penitent Mary Magdalene also produced in 1597. According to the website this depicts Mary Magdalene forsaking her worldly goods. You may notice the jewelry that she is letting go of as well as other items. This is the moment she decides to change her ways. This is considered Caravaggio’s light period before his color turned to the darker hues most often associated with him.
Considered a masterpiece by the museum and an example of Caravaggio’s light period.
The Pamphilj is a hidden gem in Rome. It is an easy ticket to get and is not crowded at all. People are there, but you are almost able to experience the masterworks standing by yourself.
Thank you for walking with me through the Pamphilj.
All that Wander are not lost.