Where can you see Guercino in Rome?

At the Capitoline Museums: The Burial of St Petronilla. At the Vatican Museums: The Incredulity of St Thomas. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.

What is Guercino's most famous work in Rome?

The Burial of St Petronilla, of 1623, at the Capitoline Museums. Seven metres high: the saint lowered into her grave at the bottom, and received into heaven at the top. It was painted for an altar in St Peter's, where a mosaic copy now stands.

When and where was Guercino born?

In February 1591, at Cento, Italy. Guercino died on 22 December 1666, at Bologna, Italy, aged about 75.

What is Guercino known for?

Painted the Burial of St Petronilla for St Peter's. Worked in Rome from 1621 to 1623. One of the great draughtsmen of his century. Guercino was an Italian painter, of the Baroque.

Painter, 1591 to 1666

Guercino

The squinter, as his nickname means, came to Rome for two years when a pope from his own region was elected, and left behind one enormous picture.

A self-portrait of Guercino holding a palette, before an easel. — Guercino, Public domain

Born: 1591, Cento, Italy
Died: 1666, Bologna, Italy
Movement: Baroque
In Rome: 2 works in 2 museums

Where to see Guercino in Rome

Each work with the museum it hangs in. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.

Capitoline Museums1 work

The Burial of St Petronilla
1623
Seven metres high: the saint lowered into her grave at the bottom, and received into heaven at the top. It was painted for an altar in St Peter's, where a mosaic copy now stands.

Vatican Museums1 work

The Incredulity of St Thomas
about 1621
Thomas puts his finger to the wound in Christ's side. In the Pinacoteca.

The life of Guercino

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri was born at Cento, between Bologna and Ferrara, in 1591, and was largely self-taught. His early pictures are stormy and dark, with the light breaking in patches.

Pope Gregory XV, who came from Bologna, called him to Rome in 1621. When the pope died two years later Guercino went home, and spent forty more years painting calmer pictures for clients all over Europe.

What to know

Painted the Burial of St Petronilla for St Peter's
Worked in Rome from 1621 to 1623
One of the great draughtsmen of his century

Born: February 1591, Cento, Italy
Died: 22 December 1666, Bologna, Italy

Guercino: common questions

Where can you see Guercino in Rome?: At the Capitoline Museums: The Burial of St Petronilla. At the Vatican Museums: The Incredulity of St Thomas. Museums move and lend their works, so check before a special journey.
What is Guercino's most famous work in Rome?: The Burial of St Petronilla, of 1623, at the Capitoline Museums. Seven metres high: the saint lowered into her grave at the bottom, and received into heaven at the top. It was painted for an altar in St Peter's, where a mosaic copy now stands.
When and where was Guercino born?: In February 1591, at Cento, Italy. Guercino died on 22 December 1666, at Bologna, Italy, aged about 75.
What is Guercino known for?: Painted the Burial of St Petronilla for St Peter's. Worked in Rome from 1621 to 1623. One of the great draughtsmen of his century. Guercino was an Italian painter, of the Baroque.