L'immagine sovrana: Urbano VIII e i Barberini

Abstract

"In 2023 the National Galleries of Ancient Art will dedicate an important exhibition to the pontificate of Urban VIII Barberini, unanimously considered the greatest patron-patron pope of the seventeenth century. For Maffeo Barberini, scholar and poet, patronage and the promotion of the arts contributed substantially to the strengthening of the spiritual and temporal government of the Church, and not only to the growth of personal and family prestige. Pope Barberini gave an unmistakable stamp to his pontificate, promoting colossal undertakings, such as the canopy of St. Peter's by Gian Lorenzo Bernini or the fresco in the great hall of Palazzo Barberini by Pietro da Cortona. A new style was imposed, which had immediate diffusion not only in Rome and Italy, but in the entire European scenario: the Baroque was born in Rome with the Barberinis"--Libreriauniversitaria.it