1350. Il Giubileo senza papa (1350. The Jubilee without a Pope)

In the final months of the 2025 Jubilee, the Capitoline Superintendency presents the exhibition 1350. The Jubilee without a Pope at Trajan's Markets - Museum of the Imperial Fora. The exhibition celebrates this event, which intertwines faith, history, and culture, bringing them together in harmony. Visiting the exhibition gives the public the opportunity to relive this intense historical moment: the often little-known artworks on display, drawn from prestigious Italian and international collections, tell stories of faith and the lives of key figures and ordinary people who lived through these extraordinary events.

The exhibition narrates the historical events surrounding the second Jubilee in history, established by the Municipality of Rome - established in 1143 - which in 1342 sent ambassadors to Avignon to secure its proclamation for the year 1350. The second Jubilee, unlike the first, which had been celebrated in 1300 at the behest of Pope Boniface VIII, was marked by the Pope's absence from the Eternal City due to the so-called "Avignon Papacy" (1309-1377), a period during which the pontiffs, all French, resided in Avignon. Among the most illustrious and important supporters of the proclamation were figures such as Cola di Rienzo, who would soon after become an undisputed protagonist of Roman politics, and Francesco Petrarca, who, deeply fascinated by Rome, attended the event several times. The exhibition pays special attention to the two leading figures of the era: Cola di Rienzo and Francesco Petrarca.

Cola di Rienzo is depicted in the drawing of Palagio Pelagi explaining ancient epigraphs to the Romans, demonstrating his contribution to the rediscovery and celebration of Rome's past. Francesco Petrarca, an admirer of Rome, is referenced in works that highlight its myth and deeds, revealing how his presence influenced the culture and politics of the era. These figures, along with others, contribute to the exhibition's narrative depth, making the historical narrative compelling and accessible to all.

The Jubilee of 1350 was also marked by dramatic events and dark moments: first, the Black Death of 1348, which severely affected the European population, including Rome, followed by the devastating earthquake of September 1349. These calamities, presented in the exhibition, are juxtaposed with aspects of the daily life of Roman citizens at the time; the artifacts and historical finds on display document in detail the lifestyle and the countless hardships faced by the citizens.

Unexpectedly, some of these artifacts were recovered specifically for the exhibition, having never before been publicly displayed. The exhibition concludes with a section on the Pope's return to Rome and the significant role played by Saint Catherine of Siena. The narrative is enriched by 18th-century models illustrating a decorative project for the church of Saint Catherine of Siena. The exhibition thus offers a glimpse of an era, intertwining history, art, and culture in a rich and diverse mosaic.

Photo: Cola di Rienzo explaining ancient epigraphs to the Romans, inv. 277, watercolour drawing on paper, 1829. Rome, Galleria Carlo Virgilio & C.