Naples offers, within its rich cultural programming, a major exhibition on the painters of the seventeenth century at Capodimonte, titled Beyond Caravaggio. A New Narrative of Painting in Naples.
Today we will tell you more about it.
If you want to discover all the other upcoming and ongoing exhibitions in Naples, visit Artsupp.com and see the complete list of exhibitions in Naples 2023.
Beyond Caravaggio, the exhibition
Beyond Caravaggio. A New Narrative of Painting in Naples is the exhibition in Naples, at the Museum and Royal Park of Capodimonte. On display are 200 works entirely from the museum’s permanent collections, with no external loans.
The exhibition, given its enormous success, has been extended until the end of March.
The Neapolitan 1600s
The Neapolitan 1600s is a relatively new invention, dating back less than a century.
The naturalism of Caravaggio would indeed, according to Roberto Longhi, be the backbone of Neapolitan art. The seventeenth-century studies on the South stem from his proposals formulated in a series of essays that were published essentially in the second decade of the last century.
The exhibition presents a reinterpretation of Longhi’s framework, now historicized, rethinking the entire articulation of a century that was not only that of Caravaggio, but above all that of Jusepe de Ribera, who arrived in Naples in 1616, six years after the death of Caravaggio.
The exhibition Beyond Caravaggio thus presents Ribera and elevates him to the center of the Neapolitan artistic scene.
Who was Jusepe de Ribera
Ribera was born in Spain, but spent much of his life in Naples, where he moved in 1616.
In Naples, he became a follower of Caravaggio, who would profoundly influence his style.
The works of Ribera are characterized by a strong chiaroscuro, a contrast between light and shadow, and a strong emphasis on the human figure, often imbued with great emotional intensity.
His skill in using chiaroscuro and in depicting human figures in a realistic and dramatic manner earned him the nickname “Lo Spagnoletto.”
The works of Ribera have been admired by many subsequent artists, including Francisco de Goya, who referred to Ribera as the “first painter of figures in the world.”
On display: Neapolitan artistic culture
Presenting the Neapolitan artistic civilization means highlighting the external contributions and exchanges with other centers, the sending of works and projects from outside, and the residency in the city of ‘foreign’ artists.
Naples, in fact, was and is a major port city, a crossroads of Italian culture and over time has become one of the most populous megacities in the world, exerting a profound influence on European culture.
Its history presents itself as a rich stratigraphy, made up of different civilizations, peoples, and artistic expressions that have left traces in the artistic and monumental heritage.
Do you like Caravaggio? Discover where his masterpieces are kept by clicking here: Caravaggio where to find: exhibitions and museums in Italy
If you are interested in all the other unmissable exhibitions in Naples, we also recommend our in-depth article: Exhibitions in Naples: what to see in 2023.
Want to discover all the museums, exhibitions, and events in Naples? Click here!
On Artsupp you will find the city's full calendar with opening hours and tickets.
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