Caravaggio, Bernini and Borromini: The Splendour of Baroque Rome Course November 9, 2012

In the first half of the 17th century, wealthy patrons of art in Rome were seeking the next big thing: after all, Michelangelo had been dead for just over a generation, and Raphael for three. Identifying and fostering a new genius would give these patrons the prestige they needed to scale the highest rungs of the papal and political ladders, showing how far their taste and discernment had progressed beyond the mass of their competitors. But how far would patrons go to protect their protgs? In a city of ruffians, prostitutes, slanderers and poets, there were endless possibilities for distraction, and, occasionally, legal quarrels. Caravaggio, before skipping town on murder charges, had one of the worst credit ratings in a city of debtors and had painted a prostitute as the Virgin Mary, but retained the protection of a cardinal whose uncle was pope. Bernini on the other hand, forever the artful courtier, created some of the most openly erotic works that had been seen in the city of St Peter but was still welcome at the tables of kings and popes. In this study day we explore the age-defining art of Baroque Rome, and the intriguing relationships between its palaces, taverns and churches. Details of this event may be subject to change. Please visit http://cce.sydney.edu.au/course/cbbs for more information or to register.

Official Website: http://cce.sydney.edu.au/course/cbbs