Explore Art in Rome with Me!

By: Ava Frias

My name is Ava Frias and I was part of the Summer Block II- 2023 Arizona State University Global Flex - 3 COURSE CREDITS. Below is my experience of the art in Rome.

Throughout my experience studying abroad in Rome I was able to experience art work at every corner I turned. In Block 2 of CIEE a class called “Genius Artists in a Genius City” where we explored artists such as Bernini, Caravaggio, Pazzo, and more. As a part of the class we ventured out to different museums and places around Rome, and I was able to experience art pieces that I most likely would not have known about without the expertise of my professor.
 

During one of our first classes we went to Santa Maria Maggiori, and as I was still new to Rome, I was shocked by the glory and magnitude that the churches in Rome hold. Through this class we walked through St. Peter's Basilica and the Church of Sant’ Agnese as well, where we were able to see works of Bernini and Caravaggio. I was truly amazed to see these pieces of art in person, and something that is so special about Rome in particular is that most of these pieces were created with the location in mind. Artists created these paintings knowing exactly where they would be located in the church, and kept factors such as lighting and materials into consideration. Through this we learned about the term “bel composto” which mixes art with architecture, and only in person can the viewer truly capture it. Seeing these pieces online and in textbooks did not prepare me for the true beauty these art pieces carry in their original location.

My favorite museum in Rome were the Borghese Gallery where I saw the infamous Rape of Proserpina and Apollo and Daphne by Bernini and Young Sick Bacchus by Caravaggio. I was also amazed by Palazzo Barberini which holds Allegory of Divine Wisdom by Andrea Sacchi Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power by Pietro da Cortona.