After over six decades hidden away in private hands, a rare portrait by Baroque master Caravaggio is finally available for public viewing. The painting, depicting Monsignor Maffeo Barberini (later Pope Urban VIII), has been attributed to Caravaggio since 1963, but remained largely unseen by the art world. Now, the National Galleries of Ancient Art in Rome offers a chance to witness the artist’s signature chiaroscuro technique and the magnetic presence of his subject.
Caravaggio, Portrait of Monsignor Maffeo Barberini, early 1600s
Courtesy Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica
This rediscovery allows us to delve deeper into Caravaggio’s portraiture, a relatively small yet significant part of his oeuvre. The exhibition, running until February 2025, provides a rare opportunity to experience a hidden gem by a legendary artist.
