A Unique Exhibit on the Baroque Underworld

The Petit Palais is currently hosting an exhibit which has never been presented in France before. Unlike the usual idealistic view of Rome, the display depicts a more down-to-earth, somber vision of the Roman underworld – its vice, poverty and excess.

An initial exhibition was presented last autumn at the Villa Medici in Rome. For the Paris showcase, it is bolstered by new prestigious loans from the National Gallery (London), Nationalmuseum (Stockholm), National Gallery of Ireland, Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), the Louvre, Galleria Borghese, Palazzo Barberini and even some private collections. This year, around 70 exceptional paintings will evoke the clandestine and shady side of the Italian capital.

Expect to be treated to works by Caravaggio, the Bamboccianti and the principal Italianate landscape painters. Among those represented in the display are works by French painters Valentin de Boulogne, Simon Vouet, Nicolas Tournier, and Claude Lorrain along with other European artists (including Pieter Van Laer, Gerrit van Honthorst, Jan Miel from Northern Europe and Bartolomeo Manfredi, Lanfranco, Salvator Rosa and Jusepe de Ribera of the south).

What exactly do these painters have in common? They found their source of inspiration in the crude world of poverty and violence, drinking and gambling. Having frequented the more sleazy areas of the city late at night, they chose to depict a more realistic vision of Rome rather than idealize its beauty. Interestingly, many of the North European artists belonged to a secret society called the ‘Bentvueghels’ meaning ‘birds of a feather’ in Dutch. They likewise considered Bacchus, god of wine and artistic inspiration, as their patron.

Lastly, the Petit Palais worked with Italian opera director and scenographer Pier Luigi Pizzi to put forward Rome’s duality during that period giving a contrasting sense of a melancholic underworld against the splendor of the papal palaces.

Opening hours

From Tuesday to Sunday : 10 am – 6 pm

Late opening on Friday until 9 pm
Closed on Monday and public holidays

Exhibit runs until 24 Mail 2015

Admission charges

Full-price: 11€

Reduced rate: 8€

Related Activites:

On the 13th of May, an artist photographer will be present at the museum studio to immortalize your visit to the Baroque Underworld. Using the museum’s costumes, accessories and a little creativity, have fun posing for an unforgettable portrait souvenir of yourself or your Baroque family. (Available upon reservation 72 hours prior to the photo session and an activity fee of 7€ per child and 9€ per adult)