A major exhibition curated by Andrea Bacchi and Maurizia Cicconi: an exploration of the unique bond between Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Maffeo Barberini—his first and most decisive patron—elected Pope in 1623 as Urban VIII.
Produced with the support of Main Partner Intesa Sanpaolo and under the patronage of the Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano, this exhibition offers an unprecedented opportunity to rethink the birth of the Baroque through the privileged lens of the personal and intellectual dialogue between Bernini and Pope Urban VIII—two key figures in defining the artistic language of their time. The exhibition coincides with the 400th anniversary of the consecration of the new St. Peter's Basilica (1626), marking one of the zeniths of the Roman Baroque and Bernini’s career.
The Exhibition Concept The focal point of the exhibition is the examination of Maffeo Barberini’s role as the true "discoverer" of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. This recognition—already highlighted by scholars such as Cesare D’Onofrio, Francis Haskell, and Irving Lavin—was instrumental in the maturation of Bernini’s style and the grand monumental projects realized in St. Peter’s during Urban VIII's pontificate.
The Itinerary Organized into six sections, each dedicated to a crucial aspect of the relationship between Bernini and the Barberini family, the exhibition follows Bernini’s career from his debut to full maturity. It documents his evolution from his father’s late Mannerism to a personal language of sweeping expressive power.
Key Highlights & Masterpieces:
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Sculptural Origins: Fundamental works such as the San Sebastiano (Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid) and the Putto with Dragon (Getty Museum) testify to the very moment Baroque sculpture was born.
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Father and Son: Exceptional loans, such as The Four Seasons from the Aldobrandini collection, allow for a deep comparison between the father, Pietro Bernini—himself a sculptor and artist—and his son, Gian Lorenzo.
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The Ancestors: For the first time, the gallery of Barberini ancestor portraits returns to Palazzo Barberini. These marble masterpieces by Bernini, Giuliano Finelli, and Francesco Mochi are currently scattered across public and private collections.
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The Image of the Pope: Special attention is dedicated to the image and memory of Urban VIII, featuring marble and bronze busts displayed alongside one of the very few paintings attributed with certainty to Gian Lorenzo.
Bernini the Painter A specific section explores Bernini as a painter, a pursuit encouraged by Maffeo Barberini. Alongside canvases presented to the public for the first time, Bernini’s only significant "public" painting will be displayed in dialogue with its pendant (companion piece) by Andrea Sacchi—both works being exceptional loans from the National Gallery, London.
The Great Vatican Projects Drawings, engravings, and models will delve into the artist’s role in the great construction sites of St. Peter's: from the Baldachin to the remodeling of the crossing, culminating in the funerary monument of Urban VIII—the symbolic heart of both the pontificate and the Bernini era.
The Barberini Taste The exhibition concludes with a broader look at the "Barberini taste," promoted by the Apes Urbanae (Urban Bees)—the extraordinary definition given to their circle by Leone Allacci. This is filtered through Bernini’s eye and personality in dialogue with other artists of the era, including Guido Reni. It features rarely exhibited busts, such as Thomas Baker (Victoria and Albert Museum) and Costanza Bonarelli (Museo Nazionale del Bargello), as well as masterpieces by Alessandro Algardi and François Duquesnoy.
Catalog & Partners Bernini and the Barberini will be accompanied by a catalog published by Allemandi, featuring essays by the curators and authoritative specialists (complete with analytical entries for all exhibited works). The volume offers the public an updated, in-depth, yet passionate perspective on a key phase in the birth of the Baroque. The exhibition benefits from the support of CoopCulture as technical partner.
Where
via delle Quattro Fontane, 13 – 00184 Roma
By Train: Arrive at Stazione Termini (Rome's central station).
By Metro: Take Line A (Linea A) and get off at Barberini station.
By Bus: Lines 53 – 61 – 62 – 63 – 80 – 81 – 83 – 160 – 492 – 590.
