Caravaggio 2025 exhibition

From March 7 to July 6, 2025, Palazzo Barberini is hosting an unmissable exhibition dedicated to Caravaggio, one of the most revolutionary figures in art history. Organized on the occasion of Jubilee 2025, this extraordinary exhibition presents 24 autograph masterpieces by the Lombard master, offering an immersive journey into his unique style and artistic evolution.

A journey through celebrated masterpieces and rediscoveries

The exhibition brings together iconic works and rarely exhibited paintings, some of which are returning to Italy after centuries. Among the most eagerly awaited works is the “Portrait of Maffeo Barberini,” a rediscovered work that is on public display for the first time in more than 60 years. The painting depicts the young Maffeo Barberini, the future Pope Urban VIII, testifying to the deep connection between Caravaggio and the Barberini family.

Another masterpiece that makes this exhibition unmissable is “Ecce Homo,” from the Prado Museum in Madrid. This powerful depiction of the Passion of Christ is a perfect example of the dramatic expression and masterful use of chiaroscuro that made Caravaggio a timeless innovator.

Other notable paintings include “Saint Catherine of Alexandria” from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, which symbolically returns to Palazzo Barberini, where it was originally located. In addition, a comparison of “Martha and Mary Magdalene” (Detroit Institute of Arts) and “Judith Beheading Holofernes” (Palazzo Barberini) allows a close look at the same model, probably the courtesan Fillide Melandroni, the artist’s inspirational muse.

An installation that exalts the Caravaggesque revolution

Curated by Francesca Cappelletti, Maria Cristina Terzaghi and Thomas Clement Salomon, the exhibition follows a chronological path that highlights Caravaggio’s stylistic evolution. From his earliest luministic experiments to his most intense and dramatic masterpieces, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in an installation designed to enhance the contrast between light and shadow, a distinctive element of Caravaggio’s painting.

Thanks to carefully calibrated lighting and scenic spaces with a strong visual impact, the exhibition offers an immersive experience, engaging the viewer and amplifying the emotional effect of the works on display.

Caravaggio and his return to Rome

Choosing Palazzo Barberini as the venue for the event is no accident: this historic Baroque palace, deeply linked to the Barberini family, offers the ideal context for admiring the master’s works in their original setting. Moreover, the collaboration with the Galleria Borghese and the patronage of the General Directorate of Museums of the Ministry of Culture confirm the importance of this exhibition in the cultural panorama of Jubilee 2025.

A unique opportunity to rediscover Caravaggio in the heart of Rome. Do not miss the chance to visit this exclusive exhibition and be captivated by the genius of one of the most influential artists of all time.