GUERCINO. The Ludovisi era in Rome at Scuderie del Quirinale

Visit the exhibition GUERCINO: The Ludovisi Era in Rome, on display until January 26, 2025, at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome.

From October 31 to January 26, the Scuderie del Quirinale will celebrate the Jubilee Year in Rome with a remarkable exhibition honoring Guercino’s art and the historical legacy of the papal Ludovisi family. Curated by Raffaella Morselli and Caterina Volpi, this exhibition explores the profound relationship between Guercino and the Ludovisi family, whose Villa Ludovisi is also open to visitors for an additional entry fee.

Showcasing 121 works coming from sixty eight different institutions, the exhibit highlights the artistic production of 1616 to 1625, with a particular focus on the biennial (1621 to 1623) brief pontificate of Alessandro Ludovisi, also known as Pope Gregory XV.

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, was born in Cento, Emilia Romagna, in 1591. A self-taught painter, he connected with the Ludovisi family through Father Mirandola in Bologna. His nickname, “Guercino,” meaning “the little squinter,” refers to a slight squint caused by a childhood fright, which, despite its origin, did not affect his extraordinary ability to perceive color and create dramatic scenes on canvas.

Guercino and his contemporaries in the Ludovisi era

The exhibition, therefore, has at its center Guercino, Pope Gregory XV’s favorite artist, and develops all its themes through dialogues between masterpieces and artists, evoking episodes of rivalry, exchange, and mutual influence.

In the rooms, besides Guercino, visitors will find, among others, Guido Reni, Domenichino, Lanfranco, Annibale and Ludovico Carracci, Pietro da Cortona, Padovanino, Van Dyck, Poussin, and Bernini. From the comparisons in the exhibition it will become clear how Guercino’s artistic vision, ignited by the refined pursuit of color, became the perfect balancing point for the rise of the Ludovisi family and the assertion of their political and cultural power.

Guided Tours of Villa Ludovisi’s Casino: explore Guercino’s frescos

On the occasion of the exhibition, the Casino di Villa Ludovisi, the dynasty landmark villa, which normally is not accessible to the public, will be open to visitors with a guide from the Scuderie del Quirinale. The visit includes the Sala dell’Aurora with Guercino’s famous fresco of the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora. Reservations are required and are linked to the purchase of the main exhibition ticket. If you choose the visit to the Casino, please do remember to do it when purchasing the “Guercino” ticket otherwise it will not be possible to buy this at a later moment.

The tours, each led by an art historian, will last approximately 30 minutes and are scheduled to run every half hour on weekends and holidays starting 9 November (excluding 25 December and 1 January) from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Until 26 January 2025

Scuderie del Quirinale

Via XXIV Maggio, 16

Opening times: From 10am to 8pm (last admission at 7pm)

Tickets: Full €17.50, Reduced €15.50

scuderiequirinale.it

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