A turning point in the Renaissance: Filippino Lippi's years in Rome

A stay in the Eternal City was of great importance in the lives of many artists, including Filippino Lippi (c. 1497–1504). The painter, who came from Prato near Florence, was one of the most famous artists of his time and was revered by Lorenzo de' Medici, the de facto ruler of Florence, among others. He also promoted Michelangelo Buonarroti and Sandro Botticelli, who had a major influence on Filippino Lippi's early work. Under de' Medici's rule, Florence became the most important city of the arts during the Renaissance. On the recommendation of his patron, Filippino Lippi traveled to Rome to study antiquity and paint the Carafa Chapel in Santa Maria sopra Minerva, on which he worked from 1489 to 1493. The frescoes reveal his changed style with darker colors, inspired by fragments of ancient paintings and sculptures. Even after returning to Florence, Filippino Lippi remained faithful to his new »Roman« style. The exhibition Filippino Lippi and Rome is dedicated entirely to this turning point in the artist's career. From November 28, 2025, to February 22, 2026, 25 paintings, drawings, and antiques will be on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Each exhibit has been carefully selected to illustrate the different creative phases in Filippino Lippi's work from the period before, during, and after his time in Rome. These related works of art are being brought together for the first time, in some cases reuniting paintings with their studies. One of the paintings on display is The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Margaret (circa 1488–1493), painted in tempera and oil on wood, and the only known single work by the master from his years in Rome. It was commissioned by Oliviero Carafa while his chapel was being painted with frescoes.