Baroque as a Worldview: Forlì's Grand Exhibition Reviewed

The 'BAROCCO. Il Gran Teatro delle Idee' exhibition at Museo Civico San Domenico in Forlì showcases more than 200 masterpieces, organized by Fondazione Cassa dei Risparmi di Forlì. This impressive collection includes works from renowned institutions such as the Albertina in Vienna, Museo del Prado, Musei Vaticani, Uffizi, Capodimonte, and Palazzo Barberini. Curated by Cristina Acidini, Daniele Benati, Enrico Colle, and Fernando Mazzocca, and directed by Gianfranco Brunelli, the exhibition examines the Baroque era as a significant cultural movement of the 17th century, with Rome at its center. It features artists like Bernini, Borromini, and Artemisia Gentileschi. The show is divided into ten sections, exploring themes from ancient origins to modern interpretations, including a focus on light as an expressive medium, as noted by Francesco Petrucci. Additionally, a segment highlights the 20th-century revival of Baroque through works by Lovis Corinth, Francis Bacon, and others. Brunelli emphasizes that Baroque marked the beginning of modernity by channeling conflicts into subjective emotional experiences.