Caravaggio and the Masters of Light: exhibition at the Historical Infantry Museum

Caravaggio and the Masters of Light

From March 7 to June 7, 2026 the Historical Infantry Museum in Rome presents the exhibition "Caravaggio and the Masters of Light", curated by Alberto Bertuzzi and Francesco Mazzeo Gallo. The show examines the visual legacy of Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, and how his revolutionary use of light shaped subsequent generations of painters.

The exhibition route

The display is organized into thematic sections that trace the development of Caravaggism and its regional and international variations:

• Early experiments: works featuring strong contrasts and dramatic intensity, including paintings by Bartolomeo Manfredi and Antiveduto Gramatica, who adopted and transformed Caravaggio's visual language.
• Intimate and lyrical approaches: pieces by Orazio Gentileschi and Massimo Stanzione, where naturalism becomes more poetic and focused on atmospheric nuance.
• Schools and foreign influences: Northern and Iberian artists (such as Van der Helst, Stomer and De Ribera) who reinterpreted Caravaggio's chiaroscuro, alongside contributions from the Bolognese school, including Simone Cantarini.
• Exhibition highlight: the display culminates with a key Caravaggio work, "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas" (1600–1601), on loan from a private collection, offering a powerful visual and emotional finale.

Visiting information

Practical tips for planning your visit:

• Tickets: buy tickets online in advance to avoid queues; check for concessions or guided tour options.
• Opening hours and accessibility: consult the museum's official channels for current opening times and accessibility details before you go.
• Photography and rules: some loaned works may have photo restrictions; follow museum guidelines to protect the artworks.
• Recommended visit length: allow at least 60–90 minutes to appreciate the sections and the subtleties of the lighting effects.

The exhibition is an opportunity to see how Caravaggio's visual innovations spawned diverse stylistic responses while preserving a shared emotional and luminous intensity. It is suitable for enthusiasts of Baroque painting and anyone interested in the artistic exchanges between Italy and the rest of Europe in the 17th century.