Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Sant' Agostino
- San Luigi dei Francesi
- Galleria Doria Pamphilij
Photos & Highlights
- Join an engaging, local expert at the top of their field in art history as you explore fundamental art concepts that define Caravaggio's place in history
- Unique, personal tours for the intentional traveler. Choose from private tours for just you and your party, or join a small group tour with other travelers.
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Tour Description
Italian painter, Michelangelo Merisi (1573-1610), better known as Caravaggio, left an indelible mark on the world of art—especially in Rome, which fortunately contains a large selection of his works. Many know him as one of the most controversial artists of all time, who fled the city after committing murder, but his art stands alone in its quality and originality.
Caravaggio's influence led to the start of the Italian Baroque era. This three-hour Caravaggio tour of Rome, led by an art historian, explores the nature of Caravaggio's art in the context of its time, in order to fully understand his innovation and the controversy surrounding him.
Caravaggio's influence led to the start of the Italian Baroque era. This three-hour Caravaggio tour of Rome, led by an art historian, explores the nature of Caravaggio's art in the context of its time, in order to fully understand his innovation and the controversy surrounding him.
Experts
Traveller Testimonials
Compelling Storytelling
A tremendous storyteller, our guide was able to put Caravaggio’s life into the context of his time. It felt as though she personally knew him!
- Kathy D.
- Kathy D.
New Discoveries
As we walked through galleries, churches and palaces, our guide was able to share information about all of it. He also took us to a church and a private museum we never would have found on our own.
- Jean C.
- Jean C.
Academic Knowledge and Personal Experience
We will treasure this experience for a lifetime. The level of historical detail and personal insight that our guide shared with us in front of each of Caravaggio's paintings brought them to such vivid life that I am still dreaming about it all!
- Jonathan G.
- Jonathan G.
Your walk takes you through the same city streets—largely unchanged—that Caravaggio inhabited in the 1600s, a lively and sometimes dangerous landscape from which he drew inspiration and (controversially) models for his work. You will see the exterior of a small house, still standing, where Caravaggio lived and had his studio. Your guide will bring you to Sant'Agostino church, known for its Renaissance architecture. Here you will explore how Caravaggio's art demonstrated a radical spirituality that appealed to the lower classes. A stop at San Luigi dei Francesi will allow you to view Caravaggio's stunning series on Saint Matthew, his first publicly commissioned altarpiece painting, which demonstrates his revolutionary use of tenebroso or tenebrisimo, the strong interplay of light and dark.
To conclude your deep dive into Caravaggio's legacy, your guide will take you on an exploration of the Doria Pamphili Gallery to experience some of the earliest works by Caravaggio, considered to be among the most important works of art in the world. Dating to the late 1590s, they offer a glimpse into the development of the artist's style. Here you will observe large paintings characterized by dramatic use of light and shadow, realistic depiction of human figures and emotional intensity. Considered to be among the most important works of art in the world, they are a testament to the artist's genius and lasting influence on Western art.
To conclude your deep dive into Caravaggio's legacy, your guide will take you on an exploration of the Doria Pamphili Gallery to experience some of the earliest works by Caravaggio, considered to be among the most important works of art in the world. Dating to the late 1590s, they offer a glimpse into the development of the artist's style. Here you will observe large paintings characterized by dramatic use of light and shadow, realistic depiction of human figures and emotional intensity. Considered to be among the most important works of art in the world, they are a testament to the artist's genius and lasting influence on Western art.
- You want to discover the stories and insights behind Caravaggio's famous paintings
- You like to connect with fellow art enthusiasts and share your passion
- You want to satisfy your thirst for knowledge while immersing yourself in the history of the city
- Sant' Agostino – Church of Renaissance architecture, home to Caravaggio's "The Madonna of the Pilgrims.”
- San Luigi dei Francesi – Church that houses Caravaggio's series on Saint Matthew.
- Doria Pamphilj Gallery – 17th-century palace known for its unique private collection housing Caravaggio's "The Rest on the Flight into Egypt" and "The Penitent Mary Magdalene."
Tickets
- Upon receiving your order, our team will secure a guide. You are pre-paid, your guide will purchase your entry ticket for the Doria Pamphilj Gallery on-site.
Resources
- Want to see more Caravaggio? Try our Borghese Gallery Tour: A Guided Crash Course with Skip-the-Line Tickets.
- To see more of the Baroque era in Context, try our Rome Baroque Tour: Art and Architecture of Bernini and Borromoni or our Naples Art Tour: Caravaggio and the Baroque.
- Check out our online lectures, which transport you back to Ancient Rome, presented by a leading Context Expert.
Wheelchair accessibility
- No access for clients with mobility issues due to stairs, and no wheelchairs available for rent at Sant'Agostino or San Luigi dei Francesi.
- There is access for wheelchairs at the Doria Pamphilj Gallery, but not all parts of the building are easily accessible by those using wheelchairs and elevator use might not be available at all times.
Service Dogs
- Service dogs are allowed if you have a medical certificate proving the need.
- For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQs.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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227 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Sara was just amazing. I paid for the extra person fee to have a private tour and it was worth every cent. She has recently published a book on Caravaggio so I had a dissertation on his Roman period as well as a wide ranging discussion on the influence of the Renaissance, Reformation and Counter-Reformation on his art. Bloody loved it. Che bell'esperienza - grazie mille Sara!
Amy
Reviewed on:
Jun 12, 2019
Fabulous experience. Alessandra was impressively well informed, approachable and extremely interesting, going beyond the tour topic to include much Roman and city history. Our group of six were most satisfied. You could not have met our expectations more fully. Thank you Alessandra!
Michael
Reviewed on:
Jun 10, 2019
Another enriching Context tour!! Hilary was so spectacular! We did not want the tour to end. We learned so much about Caravaggio as well as the period in Rome and Europe before he arrived on the scene. Hilary was so engaging, warm and knowledgeable. We felt very fortunate to have been paired with this wonderful guide, particularly since it was a small group of just 4 and we were able to pose many questions and have a very personal experience.
Colette
Reviewed on:
May 13, 2019
