The Bolognese School

Question 1

Aurora

Answer 1

by Guido Reni from 1613 in Italy

• Commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese
• A ceiling painting made for the principal room of the Casino dell’Aurora in Rome
• Depicts Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, leading a procession consisting of Phosphorus, the morning star, Apollo, and the seven Horae, ancient goddesses of the hours
• The painting is a transferred easel type in which the image is surrounded by a 3D stucco frame
• The painting is a classical piece and borrows from ancient Roman sarcophagi

Question 2

Saint Sebastian

Answer 2

by Guido Reni from 1610-16 in Italy

• First recorded in the collection of Cardinal del Monte
• Saint Sebastian was martyred under the reighn of Emperor Diocletian during early Christian history
• Currently in the Capitoline Picture Gallery
• Guido made another St. Sebastian painting in 1616-17

Question 3

Last Communion of St. Jerome

Answer 3

by Domenichino from 1612-14 in Italy

• Made for the high altar of the Congregation of San Girolamo della Carita
• Currently in the Vatican Art Gallery
• Depicts St. Jerome’s viaticum, the final Eucharist given to a dying person
• St. Jerome is best known for translating most of the Bible from greek to latin thus creating the Latin Vulgate
• St. Jerome and Mary Magdalene are similar since both were addicted to lust but overcame due to living in the wilderness