ROOM 32
At the turn of the 17th century, two differing styles emerged in Italy that were to affect the future of painting across Europe. One was idealised and classicising, as demonstrated by the works of Annibale Carracci and Guido Reni, and the other, introduced by Caravaggio, was powerfully naturalistic.
Although profoundly different, both styles were based on a return to the study of nature. What emerged from these two different approaches are the characteristics of the baroque - dynamic compositions, dramatic lighting, vivid use of colour and intense expression of emotion. These are evident in the paintings hanging in this room, most of which were commissioned to adorn the palaces of wealthy patrons in Rome, Florence, Bologna, Naples and Genoa.
In 2013 twenty-five paintings from the collection of the distinguished art historian Sir Denis Mahon (1910-2011) were presented to the National Gallery through the Art Fund. The breadth and quality of the Italian baroque collection have been greatly enhanced by this bequest, which includes works by Domenichino, Giordano, Guercino and Reni.
