Carnival Scene in 17th Century Rome (in Piazza Colonna) Roman school of the Bamboccianti (mid-17th century) - workshop of Michelangelo Cerquozzi (Rome 1602 – Rome 1660) Oil on canvas 74 x 96 cm - Framed 88 x 110 cm Complete details of the work (click HERE) In the context of a large square crowded with masked figures and costumes, the painting depicts a jubilant scene during the festivities of the Carnival of Rome in the 17th century, and is therefore a very interesting testimony to the customs of the time. The painting is set in Piazza Colonna, with a fragment of the famous column of Marcus Aurelius, entirely decorated with bas-reliefs, and surrounded by some of the most important historical buildings in Rome, in particular we recognize Palazzo Ferrajoli and Palazzo Chigi. A city event with ancient origins - inspired by the Saturnalia of the ancient Romans, in which slaves were elevated to the rank of masters, subverting the ordinary social order - the Carnival, starting from the 16th century, became one of the main celebrations of pontifical Rome, and one of the richest and most unbridled in Europe, becoming more popular and renowned than the Venetian one in the Renaissance. Not simply a party but an integral part of the City's culture: just as in ancient times, the Roman oligarchies also granted the population, especially the humblest classes, a period dedicated to entertainment. The entire citizenry participated, the poor mingled with the powerful, being able to publicly mock them, protected by the anonymity of the masks: a sort of leveling of all social divisions was obtained and even public derision of the authorities and aristocracy was authorized. People in masks paraded, camouflaged by the main characters of the Commedia dell'Arte, especially in the Roman style. This is how Via Lata (the current Via del Corso), Piazza Colonna and Piazza Venezia became the places dedicated to the unfolding of the festival, allowing the people (and also the masked lords) to take possession of the official nature of the festival. Among the various painters who depicted carnival scenes, a prominent place belongs to the Roman Michelangelo Cerquozzi (Rome 1602 – 1660), to whose workshop we can easily trace the work of our work. Active mainly in Rome, Cerquozzi became known for his belonging to the Roman popular Caravaggio current - defined as the 'school of the Bamboccianti' - a pictorial movement to which Flemish, Dutch and Italian painters adhered, which preferred simple themes with popular scenes drawn from daily life in Rome at the time. And the Carnival, which lent itself perfectly to a popular narrative iconography, was therefore a typical subject of the "bambocciata": in Cerquozzi's production there are several works with carnival subjects, preserved in various museums and collections, as well as many other authors belonging to the current, such as Jan Miel (see Carnival in Rome, 1653, Madrid Museo del Prado), Johannes Lingelbach (see Carnival in Rome, 1650/1651 Kunsthistorisches Museum). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The painting is sold complete with a pleasant antique frame and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. If you wish to see this or other works in person, we will be happy to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, in Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We are waiting for you! Contact us for any information or to organize a visit, we will be happy to answer you. Follow us also on : https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/