For months, Rome's museums were frozen in time, sitting empty due to the pandemic.
Now the historic Palazzo Barberini is once again opening its doors to the public with an exhibition dedicated to exploring time and its changing interpretations during the Baroque era.
FLAMINIA GENNARI SANTORI
Director, Palazzo Barberini
“In the Baroque culture the idea of the time passing takes on a breadth and depth that it didn't have in previous periods.”
“This occurs when even the measurement of time becomes more precise, and so the production of clocks and watches increases extraordinarily.”
Clocks and watches from the era are presented alongside paintings to highlight the relationship between art and time.
The exhibition is the first in the museum's newly renovated showrooms. Several of the pieces on display even have a special connection to the museum, and to the family who gave it its name.
FRANCESCA CAPPELLETTI
Curator, “Tempo Barocco”
“Most of the artists we included because of the strength of their work and for their significant depictions of metaphors for time were also artists who worked here in Palazzo Barberini, such as Pietro da Cortona, Andrea Sacchi, or who even worked for the Barberinis themselves.”
After a year in which time seems to have stood still, this exhibition showcases the ever-changing role of time in our world.
FRANCESCA CAPPELLETTI
Curator, “Tempo Barocco”
“This reflection on time after our perception of time has certainly changed a lot in the last year, year and a half, I think could also be very interesting to the public.”
The Baroque style is one of the most famous artistic movements to come out of Rome. Now some of its most signatures pieces will be on display at Palazzo Barberini until October.
JM
AA