Bernini’s School and the Roman Baroque: art exhibition in Georgia

The Georgian National Museum’s Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery in Tbilisi is holding an exhibition of the works of Giovan Lorenzo Bernini and the Roman Baroque from 11 September to 25 November 2018 in conjunction with the Italian Embassy.

Giovan Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) worked as the interpreter of the Baroque throughout the reign of several different popes over a period of almost 50 years. Bernini was an architect, sculptor, painter, set designer, actor, and playwright.

His taste for ornamental details and expressive emotions was called "Belcomposto." The exhibition, Bernini School and Roman Baroque: Artworks from Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia, at the Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery, showcases the masterpieces of Bernini and other Italian masters of the 17th century from the Roman Baroque Museum near Rome – the Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia.

Exhibits include works by Baciccio, Cavalier d’Arpino, Pier Francesco Mola, Salvator Rosa, Giacinto Brandi, Bernardino Mei and Filippo Lauri, landscapes by Pandolfo Reschi, Jos de Momper, Tempestino, Monsu Vernel, Gilles du Mont, portraits by Ferdinand Voet, Giovanni Maria Morandi, and Alessandro Mattia da Farnese.

The exhibition presents the genres and styles that defined the baroque aesthetics of the Catholic Church aimed at elevating the faithful. There are about 60 works including painting and graphic portraits, self-portraits, landscapes, bronze medals and medallions, palace decorations, leather and silk hangers, a decorative lamp, and preparations for frescos designed for religious buildings.

Giovan Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680), Black Velvet, Adornment for the Chigi Carriage, 1657-61

Berninian Circle, Leather hangings decorated with Chigi oak emblem, 1665

Giovanni Battista Salvi (1609-1685), Saint Lucy, 1630-40

Pier Francesco Mola (1612-1666), Bacchus or the Allegory of Taste, 1662-66

Giovan Battista Gaulli (1639-1709), Self Portrait, 1668

Jacob Ferdinand Voet (1639-1689), Portrait of Cardinal Flavio Chigi, 1670

Jacob Ferdinand Voet (1639-1689), Portrait of Flaminia Pamphilj Savelli, 1671

Alessandro Mattia da Farnese (1631-1690), Portrait of Virginia Chigi Picc, 1671

Mattia Preti (1613-1699), Scene of the Plague, date unknown

Francesco Trevisani (1656-1746), Portrait of Sister Maria Berenice Chigi, 1685

Luigi Garzi (1638-1721), Loth and his Daughters, 1700

Ariccia was the ancient Latin city that was home to Emperor Augustus. Bernini completely re-designed the city under the authority of Pope Alexander VII (1655-1667). With assistance from a group of architects, Bernini planned the road network, infrastructure, church, plaza, gates, and the Chigi Palace – a signature building of Roman Baroque architecture. It continues today, relatively unchanged.

Giovan Battista Falda (1648-1678), Panoramic View of Ariccia, 1667

Giovan Battista Falda (1648-1678), View of the Piazza in Ariccia, 1667

Giovan Battista Falda (1648-1678), View of the Sanctuary of Galloro in Ariccia, 1667

MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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