Rebuilding The Renaissance Rocky Ruggiero
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- Arts
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This podcast will explore the development of the art, architecture, culture and history in Italy, from ancient Roman times through the Renaissance. Listeners will develop an understanding of Italy’s role in the development of Western civilization and an ability to appreciate and understand works of art in their historical context.
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Caravaggio’s “Flagellation”
Located in the Capodimonte Museum in Naples, Italy, Caravaggio painted the “Flagellation” in 1607 while he was hiding out in Naples because he was wanted for murder in Rome. The “Flagellation” is dramatically sadistic scene of imminent torture set – like so many of Caravaggio’s paintings - in a dark shallow theatrical space.
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Episode 274 - Caravaggio’s “Seven Acts of Mercy”
When Caravaggio arrived in Naples as a fugitive on the run from papal justice in 1606, he immediately began to receive commissions. One of his first was for a charitable organization called the “Pio Monte della Misericordia.” This organization had just built a church with seven altars upon which seven separate paintings illustrating the “Seven Acts of Mercy” were to be placed. In true impetuous Caravaggio fashion, he produced a single beautiful painting that represented all seven acts!
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Answers to Open Questions XX
From similar faces in the Scrovegni Chapel, to identifying Judas in Veronese’s “Feast in the House of Levi,” to the symbolic gestures of the apostles in Caravaggio’s “Supper at Emmaus,” to the “Isleworth Mona Lisa,” to my advice to a young person about life and much, much more - this episode answers the very questions that you ask me about the great art, artists and history of the Italian Renaissance – and the meaning of life!
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Caravaggio’s “David with the Head of Goliath”
Painted shortly after Caravaggio killed a man in Rome and was a fugitive from justice, the “David with the Head of Goliath” is today located in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, Italy. The painting was given to Cardinal Scipione Borghese in hopes that he could convince his uncle, Pope Paul V, to pardon Caravaggio who was wanted dead or alive.
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Caravaggio’s “Supper at Emmaus” (2nd Version)
Located in the Brera Gallery in Milan, Italy, Caravaggio’s 2nd “Supper at Emmaus” was painted in the immediate aftermath of Caravaggio’s murder of Ranuccio Tommasoni on the streets of Rome. A wounded Caravaggio was a fugitive from justice and hiding out from the authorities in the hills surrounding Rome when he painted his 2nd “Supper”. The painting clearly reflects the dramatically changed circumstances of Caravaggio’s life and mark a turning point in his career.
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Caravaggio: Wanted Dead or Alive
O May 28, 1606, Caravaggio stabbed and killed a man named Ranuccio Tommasoni in Rome, allegedly over an unpaid wager. Discover the details of the homicide that changed Caravaggio’s life forever and turned him into a fugitive from justice.
Customer Reviews
Renaissance is Dr. Ruggiero’s Neighborhood
Just returned from 2 weeks in Italy with most spent in Florence and Rome. Missing the art, I found this great podcast! This guy is great. Short and to the point but very detailed when it counts. I wish I had known about him before I went, and would have hired him for tours!
Rocky rocks!
I am, like many of Prof. Rock’s students and fans, an autodidact hungry for all things Renaissance. From Good Cosimo, Pater Patria , to the Dark Duke Cosimo, he has shown the flashlight of erudition and appreciation upon the serpentine corridors of time to illuminate the stories, context, and interpretations of this incredibly rich period of humanity.
Fantastic show!!
Complimenti Rocky!! I am a professor of art history and I recommend this podcast to all of my students. It’s entertaining, engaging and well researched. Lucky us to have free access to such a high quality and delightful podcast!