This church provides a fascinating contrast between the two
dominant schools of painting in early 17th century Rome. Domenichino's
frescoes of the Life of St Cecilia, in the second chapel in the
right aisle, painted in a classical style harking back to Raphael,
are in complete contrast to Caravaggio's strikingly realistic
scenes from the Life of St Matthew, painted in 1597-1602, in
the last chapel in the left aisle. The latter show very clearly
Caravaggio's new style of chiaroscuro, where the contrast of
light and shade is used to enhance the psychological drama.
Address
Via Santa Giovanna d'Arco
Telephone
68 80 36 29
Opening
times
8am-12.30pm, 3.30-7pm, Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat;8am-12.30pm
Thurs, Sun
