Yellow pages Tours in Rome

The Sacred and the Sexual at Palazzo Barberini

By: Wanted in Rome

Date:

21 May, 2018

The Sacred and the Sexual at Palazzo Barberini

Palazzo Barberini is an an extraordinary Baroque palace built for Pope Urban VIII. It hosts the national collection of Renaissance and Baroque art.
Discovering this unique art collection we will focus on the development of European taste in matter of nudity, sexuality and love to find out that both profane and sacred art pieces are valuable historic sources to comprehend the morality of the European society through the centuries.

- In Christian societies, patrons and artists valued chastity and celibacy. Depictions of unclothed bodies were very rare and used just to convey ideas of shame, how and when did it change?

- What is the influence of "classical" Greek and Roman art nudes on the development of European art?

- Nudity in Christian art is just a consequence of Renaissance naturalism or it is an aesthetic choice guided by deep religious beliefs?

- What is the difference in-between nudity and nakedness?

- Are sex objects in art shown just for the viewer's gratification?

- Could sexuality in mythological and biblical themes panting be elevated as a legitimate subject of art?

The Guide:

Christiaan, an art and history lover born and raised in Rome to an Italian father and a Dutch mother. I studied History of Art here in the Eternal City and then specialized in Religious Art at the Vatican. I am an official licensed tour guide thrilled to show the beauties of my hometown to the lucky visitors. If you are reading this, it means you booked your ticket to come to Italy, good for you! You'll love it!