Guido Reni Loans at the Getty

Guido Reni, Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness, about 1636-37. Dulwich Picture Gallery, London

The Getty Center is showing Guido Reni's Saint John, a painting from the Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, that recently underwent conservation treatment. Saint John is a boy-band conception of the hermit saint, who is said to have survived on a diet of locusts and honey. At Dulwich the painting is normally paired with a Saint Sebastian by the same artist. The Getty is showing Saint John across the room from Reni's Bacchus and Ariadne, one of seven LACMA paintings that have been lent during construction.  

Guido Reni, Bacchus and Ariadne, about 1619–20. LACMA

Comments

Whenever I stay in Rome I make a point of being there for the first day of the month.
That's when Reni's undisputed ceiling-fresco masterpiece, The Aurora, is on view, free to the public.
It's housed in the splendid Pallavicini Casino dell'Aurora, which stands on the Quirinal hill, opposite the Scuderie del Quirinale.
I've already missed four trips to Western Europe on account of the pandemic, so don't know if it's open or closed.
But definitely one of the wonders, and not to be missed.
Ted Gallagher
New York
PS- Binoculars enhance the enjoyment.
Anonymous said…
One of the great secret treasures of Rome. And free.And devoid of tourist hordes.
NOTANEMOPROG said…
Hi - thanks for sharing this photo, is Saint Sebastian still in LA? Is it possible to share more photos of details, and perhaps another total in High resolution? Good images of this masterpiece are hard to find