In the 17th century, Genoa enjoyed a great flourishing of the arts. It attracted influential and famous artists from all over Europe and produced a group of superb local painters. Genoa was one of the richest and most cosmopolitan cities of northern Italy, the centre of an extensive trading and banking network. Enormous wealth was invested in the creation of impressive town palaces with spectacularly decorated interiors.
This is the first exhibition to be held in Britain of Genoese painting. Highlights include Rubens Equestrian Portrait of Giovan Carlo Doria, an impressive image of one of Genoa's most significant artistic patrons; Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione's Adoration of the Shepherds altarpiece from the church of San Luca, and Valerio Castello's dynamic Rape of Proserpine. There are also works by Van Dyck, who spent several years in Genoa in the 1620s before settling in England, Orazio Gentileschi, and the Franciscan painter, Bernardo Strozzi, as well as a magnificent carved picture frame by the virtuoso sculptor Filippo Parodi.
Exhibition opening hours:
Daily 10am - 6pm
Wednesdays until 9pm
Closed Good Friday (29 March)
The Baroque Painting in Genoa' catalogue accompanying the exhibition is generously supported by Camera di Commercio di Genova and is on sale in National Gallery Shops at 7.95 pounds . The catalogue is also available from our online shop.
The exhibition video is on sale in the National Gallery shops at 10 pounds (including VAT).
IMAGE:
Valerio Castello,
'Rape of Proserpine',
about 1645-50.
Genoa, Museo di Palazzo Reale.
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