The painting of Saint Catherine of Alexandria can be seen in the stupendous Sala del Caravaggio and is on loan from the Musée des Beaux Arts in Nantes (which in return has borrowed Simon Vouet's 'Buona Ventura' for their own venue). This work is by Roman artist, Angelo Caroselli, a pioneer of naturalism whose work often had a philosophical vein and overtones of witchcraft. Catherine, the patron saint of philosophers, with her jewellery and sumptuous clothing, evokes pagan priestesses, and in the painting she is imbued in a highly colourful and theatrical atmosphere and displayed alongside "the Holy Family during the Flight to Egypt", a work by the same artist.

Galleria Nazionale d'arte antica in Palazzo Barberini - Sala del Caravaggio. Via delle IV Fontane, 13. Info 064824184 e 064814591