Baroque in Forlì: The Grand Theatre of Ideas at Museo Civico San

Baroque. The Grand Theatre of Ideas in Forlì

Until 28 June 2026, the Museo Civico San Domenico in Forlì presents a large-scale exhibition dedicated to the Baroque. The show assembles roughly 200 works — paintings, sculptures, architectural models and decorative arts — to trace the stylistic development and cultural impact of the 17th century.

The curatorial layout groups works into thematic sections that highlight the interplay between painting, sculpture, architecture and applied arts, showing how Baroque language shaped taste well beyond its era.

• Key works: a Coronation of Thorns attributed to Caravaggio (c.1605) and Rubens’ Saint Sebastian freed by angels (c.1604).
• Emilian masters: paintings by Guido Reni, Guercino, and the Carracci (Annibale, Ludovico and Agostino).
• Sculpture & architecture: pieces by Pietro Bernini, the monumental Rape of Helen by Pierre Paul Puget, and a large model of Borromini's Lantern of Sant'Ivo.
• Portraits and power: papal portraits and aristocratic commissions, including works by Velázquez and important European collections.
• Decorative arts: polychrome marble console tables, inlaid furniture, chased silver, tapestries and Sicilian craftsmanship featuring red coral.

The exhibition also explores the broader cultural background of the 1600s — from Wunderkammer to mechanical automata and scientific advances — that shaped artistic production and collecting practices.

Why visit

The layout offers both a clear historical overview of Baroque techniques and a visually engaging experience, emphasizing theatricality, coloristic richness and the connection between art and social power.

Practical information

• Venue: Museo Civico San Domenico, Forlì.
• Exhibition ends: 28 June 2026.
• Visiting time: approximately 1.5–2 hours depending on how much you want to explore.
• Visitor tips: check opening hours and ticketing on the museum's official channels; allocate time for the decorative arts and architectural model sections.

This exhibition is a recommended stop for art history enthusiasts and visitors interested in how the Baroque shaped modern visual culture.