Introduction: The Public Intimacy of Cardinal del Monte's Patronage

The Public Intimacy of Cardinal del Monte's Patronage

Francesco Maria del Monte was an important eclectic collector of art, best known for his early patronage of Caravaggio. His appointment as a Cardinal in Rome meant that he occupied several spheres, from musical to artistic, personal to political, amongst several different properties scattered across Rome. This exhibit examines the interplay between personal desires, spanning from sexuality and religious tributes with political desires, such as academic pursuits and networking, and how these various forces enmesh within del Monte’s celebrated patronage. Click on Early Life & Roman Life to continue learning more.