The Carracci frescoes

The frescoes of the Carracci will be accessible to the public from August 2^nd until September 20^th, 2024, at Palazzo Fava.

The most notable feature of the piano nobile is the series of frescoes created by the younger members of the Carracci family, namely Ludovico, Annibale, and Agostino, in collaboration with some of their pupils, including Francesco Albani, and Bartolomeo Cesi. The artists were active for approximately fifteen years between 1584 and 1598, during which time they revitalised the waning tradition of late Mannerism, thereby paving the way for the grand painting of the new century.

The stories of Jason and Medea

In the Great Hall, visitors can admire eighteen scenes painted in 1584 by Ludovico, Annibale, and Agostino Carracci. This masterpiece marked an artistic revolution, moving away from mannerism and embracing classic and naturalistic tastes.

Notably, among the painted scenes, there’s the episode of Medea’s Nocturnal Incantations, portraying the sorceress purifying herself at a stream under the moon’s rays – a defining moment in the history of art as the first modern nude.

The stories of Aeneas

Other four rooms are dedicated to the story of the Virgilian hero who founded Rome. Artists like Ludovico Carracci, Francesco Albani, and Bartolomeo Cesi present Aeneas’ journey with great finesse.

Via Manzoni 2, Bologna

 

From Tuesday to Sunday
10:00 am - 7:00 pm (last entry one hour before)

Closed from August 26th, 2024.

Full price: € 5