The famous Fornarina, Raffaello Sanzio's masterpiece, is back to Palazzo Barberini, house to the Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica, after five months on loan to the Scuderie del Quirinale for the Raffaello 1520-1483 exhibition.
The painting, belonging to the Barberini collection since 1642, was displayed next to La Velata, as the artist's greatest expression in the portrait genre. Before the loan, it underwent three days of investigations with innovative techniques and high-tech machinery, the results of which will be presented to the public in a study day on 21 September.
Painted around 1520, according to tradition the panel portrays Margherita Luti, the lover and muse of Raphael, daughter of a baker from Trastevere, hence the nickname "Fornarina". The painting already belonged to the Sforza di Santafiora, first owners of the building, and it was one of the first to be purchased by the Barberini Family.
La Fornarina is currently on display in the Hall 16 on the main floor dedicated to "The look of the Renaissance", together with other artworks such as Saint Mary Magdalene by Piero di Cosimo, the Portrait of Stefano IV Colonna by Bronzino and the Portrait of Henry VIII by Hans Holbein.
The museum is open from Thursday to Sunday, from 10.00 to 18.00, and closed from Monday to Wednesday.
More Information: www.barberinicorsini.org
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