Curator Stanton Thomas refers the dreamlike style of Baroque art as “Baroque delirium.”
Courtesy of Aubrey Carr | The Crow’s Nest
By Aubrey Carr
With its grandest exhibit since the beginning of the pandemic, The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) brings a taste of Rome to St. Petersburg with “Bernini and the Roman Baroque: Masterpieces from Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia.”
Comprised of over 40 canvases, “Bernini and the Roman Baroque” embodies the grandeur of 17th century Italy through the eyes of famed sculptor and painter Gian Lorenzo Bernini, as well as dozens of his fellow artists from the Roman Baroque period.
The exhibition’s focus is on Bernini’s works commissioned by the Chigi family, a princely family of Sienese origin known for their prominent status and wealth.
“[The Chigi family] had not only money and power, but also access to the greatest artists and one of those people with whom they engaged was, of course, Gian Lorenzo Bernini,” Stanton Thomas, senior curator of collections and exhibitions said. “That’s the purpose of this exhibition, the relationship between those two and the really amazing collection of art that they gathered in the Palazzo Chigi.”
Many of the exhibit’s items were taken from the walls of the Palazzo Chigi (Italian for “Chigi Palace”) and portray the likenesses of the princely family.
In addition to the Chigi family’s paintings, a selection of Bernini’s sculptures are showcased, including a chandelier featuring the Chigi’s emblem, which hangs from the ceiling in the exhibit’s main room.
For a broader view of the Baroque period, the exhibition also displays a variety of works highlighting the sensual and dramatic nature of the art style.
Like most creative endeavors, Baroque art is a representation of the beliefs and trends of its time; many of the paintings portray biblical stories and imagery, an allusion to the dominant religion of Roman Catholicism.
According to Thomas, some of the exhibit’s paintings were commissioned by the Catholic Church, which hoped the artistic works would engage churchgoers.
These artworks featured realistic depictions of saints and saviors surrounded by a more dream-like view of heavenly imagery – a contrast that Thomas jokingly referred to as “Baroque delirium.”
Due to the fragility of the pieces and the large distance from their origin, authentic Baroque art is infrequently exhibited in the U.S. and is rarely seen in the Tampa Bay area.
“This is a really special opportunity to view works that are very rarely seen in the United States,” said MFA Executive Director and CEO Kristen Shepherd. “We’re bringing a little bit of Rome to St. Petersburg.”
Beyond the exclusivity of the works, “Bernini and the Roman Baroque” is a celebrated occasion for the MFA, as it is the largest event the museum has hosted since its closure in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Shepherd, this is the first exhibition since the pandemic began to feature the various in-person activities that would regularly accompany an opening.
“So many of us have felt isolated and confined by COVID-19, but this exhibition is a great reminder that art is an impactful and exciting way to explore the world without leaving our own community,” Shepherd said in a press release.
“Bernini and the Roman Baroque” opened on Feb. 12 and runs through May 8. Tickets for the exhibit and related events are available at mfastpete.org.
In addition to the main exhibition, a variety of Baroque-themed events are planned:
- Cinema at the MFA presents: The Cardboard Bernini: 7 p.m., March 10, free with admission.
- Cinema at the MFA presents: Roman Holiday | Costume party & Prosecco Bar: Noon to 4 p.m., April 10, $20 for members and $30 for nonmembers.
