New lighting system illuminates Caravaggio masterpieces at San Luigi dei Francesi

The church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, a national church of France located near Piazza Navona, has installed a new LED lighting system designed by Marco Frascarolo and his studio Fabertechnica, funded by Fondazione Bulgari. The intervention aims to enhance the visibility of Caravaggio's three paintings dedicated to Saint Matthew in the Contarelli Chapel, as well as works in five other chapels, while improving energy efficiency. The church, consecrated in 1589 and designed by Domenico Fontana based on projects by Giacomo Della Porta, with interior renovations by Antoine Dérizet completed in 1764, also houses a sculpture of Saint Louis IX by Plautilla Bricci. The new lighting was inaugurated with a classical music concert on January 21, 2025, featuring works by Vivaldi, Bach, and Handel, performed by countertenor Jean-Christophe Clair and organist Gabriele Agrimonti. The project coincides with the Jubilee 2025, expected to draw thousands of visitors. Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin stated the initiative aims to bring 'new light' to Italy's cultural heritage.