Next to the Sea of Genoa, the nearly forgotten Villa of Principe has been polished and restored to its former glory as a palace of the bold Andrea Doria, an admiral of the Genoese navy.
Construction began in 1521 on the building among the vineyards, resting on a hill and far away from the distress and plagues of the Renaissance cities of Italy. The building is otherwise known as “Bel Respiro” or ”beautiful breath.”
Andrea Doria used it as a respite from his campaigns against the French, Turks, and the Barbary pirates that preyed in the Mediterranean.
The noble families of the Baroque era preferred the suburban life of luxury. They indulged in the arts to show their wealth and stature. Now a national monument, the Villa of Principe offers a gallery of 80 paintings of Caravaggio’s artworks from the collection of the noble Doria Pamphili family.
Though ill-tempered, Caravaggio had an ability to paint religious scenes with a welcoming presence. He was known for his chiaroscuro style, which played on the contrasts between light and dark.
His works influenced the great painters of the late Renaissance such as Velasquez, Rubens, and Rembrandt. This year marks the fourth centenary of Carravaggio’s death. The villa showcases one of the great talents of Italy.
Construction began in 1521 on the building among the vineyards, resting on a hill and far away from the distress and plagues of the Renaissance cities of Italy. The building is otherwise known as “Bel Respiro” or ”beautiful breath.”
Andrea Doria used it as a respite from his campaigns against the French, Turks, and the Barbary pirates that preyed in the Mediterranean.
The noble families of the Baroque era preferred the suburban life of luxury. They indulged in the arts to show their wealth and stature. Now a national monument, the Villa of Principe offers a gallery of 80 paintings of Caravaggio’s artworks from the collection of the noble Doria Pamphili family.
Though ill-tempered, Caravaggio had an ability to paint religious scenes with a welcoming presence. He was known for his chiaroscuro style, which played on the contrasts between light and dark.
His works influenced the great painters of the late Renaissance such as Velasquez, Rubens, and Rembrandt. This year marks the fourth centenary of Carravaggio’s death. The villa showcases one of the great talents of Italy.
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