Guido Reni's Roman Masterpieces: A Guide to Five Essential Works

An article on Artribune guides readers through five key works by Guido Reni in Rome, coinciding with the exhibition 'Guido Reni a Roma. Il sacro e la natura' at Galleria Borghese (until May 22, 2022). The exhibition, curated by Francesca Cappelletti, highlights a recent acquisition of a 'Danza campestre' (c. 1605) that sheds new light on Reni's landscape painting. The guide includes: the 'Aurora' fresco (c. 1613) at Casino dell'Aurora in Palazzo Rospigliosi Pallavicini, recently restored and opened on special dates; the 'Crocifisso' (1638-40) at San Lorenzo in Lucina, noted for its metaphysical power; the 'Lotta di putti' (c. 1625) at Palazzo Doria-Pamphilj, an allegory of class struggle; the 'Maddalena penitente' (c. 1630) at Palazzo Barberini, a sensual depiction; and the 'San Sebastiano' (1615-16) at Musei Capitolini, which inspired Yukio Mishima. The article also mentions a map by IFEXPERIENCE and a forthcoming book 'Guido Reni a Roma. Itinerari' by Romeo Pio Cristofori and Lara Scanu (Marsilio), covering 22 locations and 27 works. Reni, a pupil of the Carracci, worked in Rome from 1601 to 1614, receiving major commissions. His style evolved from classical to a simplified, luminous manner.