Caravaggio. Wonders of the Italian Baroque, the final exhibition of the year at Museum of Art Pudong, is the first Caravaggio-themed exhibition in China. The exhibition marks the first collaboration between MAP and Galleria Borghese in Rome, the latter boasts the largest gathering of Caravaggio's works in a single collection. With over 60 authentic works on view, among which 6 are iconic masterpieces by Caravaggio and others by over 40 Baroque artists, the exhibition presents a fantastically holistic picture of Baroque art. In the meantime, Baroque architectural and music elements integrated in the scenography collectively enhance the theatrical viewing experience, allowing visitors to immerse fully in the epoch-making and revolutionary aesthetics unique to Baroque. 

Caravaggio. Wonders of the Italian Baroque is produced by Shanghai Lujiazui Development (Group) Co., Ltd. and co-organized by Museum of Art Pudong and Galleria Borghese in Rome with the collaboration of Gallerie degli Uffizi, Florence, Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica (Barberini-Corsini), Rome, Banca Popolare di Vicenza S.p.A. in LCA and private collector in Florence. The exhibition receives support and promotion by Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, Italian Cultural Institute in Shanghai, Ministero della Cultura Italy, Direzione Generale Musei, Ministero della Cultura Italy and MondoMostre Rome. Francesca Cappelletti, Director of Galleria Borghese, and Francesco D'Arelli, Director of Italian Cultural Institute in Shanghai, take the role as curators of the exhibition; Aldo Cibic, renowned Italian designer, co-founder of the Memphis group and Honorary Professor at Tongji University, designs the scenography together with Joseph Dejardin.

About Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi, or more widely known as Caravaggio, was one of the most revolutionary painters in the history of Western art. He is widely considered the last master from the Renaissance period and the pioneer to trigger the beginning of Baroque period. The absolute novelties introduced by Caravaggio in painting were the pursuit of truth against all academic rules, and the stark use of light as a metaphor for divine grace. With the brand-new style in painting, Caravaggio managed to create a new wave in European arts after the Renaissance, exerting profound influence upon many artists of and after his time – among whom Rubens, Rembrandt and La Tour were all his followers.

Caravaggio's works are in permanent collection of prestigious art institutes all around the world, including the Musée du Louvre, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hermitage Museum and the National Gallery London. Caravaggio was only 38 when he died, and left behind only a handful of works that can be definitely attributed to him, which means works available for loan are even fewer.