Caravaggio and the 20th Century: Roberto Longhi and Anna Banti Exhibition in Florence

From March 27 to July 20, 2025, Villa Bardini in Florence will host the exhibition 'Caravaggio e il Novecento. Roberto Longhi, Anna Banti,' curated by Cristina Acidini and Claudio Paolini. The show explores the professional and personal journey of art historians Roberto Longhi and Anna Banti (born Lucia Lopresti), who were instrumental in rediscovering Caravaggio in the mid-20th century. Longhi curated the landmark 1951 Caravaggio exhibition at Palazzo Reale in Milan, which attracted over 400,000 visitors and revived the artist's global fame. The exhibition features about forty paintings, including Caravaggio's 'Boy Bitten by a Lizard' and Jusepe de Ribera's 'Apostles' from Longhi's collection, ten works by Giorgio Morandi gifted to the couple, plus drawings, watercolors, photographs, and archival documents. Two documentaries by Longhi on Vittore Carpaccio and Carlo Carrà will also be screened. The exhibition is promoted by Fondazione CR Firenze in collaboration with Fondazione Longhi, which continues the couple's work at Villa Il Tasso, their former residence and study. The display occupies all rooms of Villa Bardini across 12 galleries plus a Silent Room.