The St. Petersburg Museum of Art in Florida is hosting "In Caravaggio's Light: Baroque Masterpieces from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi," the first U.S. exhibition of 40 Baroque paintings from the private collection of art historian Roberto Longhi. The centerpiece is Caravaggio's "Boy Bitten by a Lizard," one of two Caravaggio works in the show, which runs until March 22. Curator Dr. Stanton Thomas notes the exhibition is designed to evoke a cinematic, dramatic experience of light and emotion.
This exhibition matters because it brings a significant group of Baroque masterpieces to the United States for the first time, offering American audiences rare access to works from a renowned Italian foundation. It also connects historical Baroque art to contemporary culture through a companion show, "Baroque Continuum," featuring modern artists inspired by the period, highlighting the enduring influence of Baroque aesthetics on film, television, and current art.