Tag: family murder

5. Beatrice Cenci, Rome, Italy 1599

The portrait that isn't Beatrice Cenci
Supposedly a portrait of Beatrice Cenci, supposedly by Guido Reni. But if it was painted by Reni, it couldn’t be Beatrice, since he didn’t paint in Rome until 1609. It’s probably meant to be one of the Sybils. That it’s even by Reni at all is unclear. It now hangs at the Palazzo Barberini with labels giving question marks for both the subject and the painter. It’s not Beatrice! It’s just part of her legend.

Oh, all right. Outside of our 1000 year mandate. Only just, though. And there is torture! A lurid trial! Ghost with severed head! Also a really bad play by Shelley, but that came lots later.

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