Carla Pietrobattista

Art columnist

Aldous Huxley’s praise for Piero della Francesca’s Resurrection once moved a British officer to spare a town—showing how art can outlast war and shape destiny.

Between 1600 and 1601, Caravaggio recast the scene: out went the coarse, patron-spurned Matthew and dominating angel; in came classical dress, a lighter touch and a writer in charge.

In Caravaggio's 'Fruit Basket', a mere wicker basket and its contents emerge as a profound meditation on life, light and the passage of time, showcasing the artist's early genius.

Caravaggio's portrayal, St. Lucy forsakes heavenly glory for a gritty burial scene, which reflects the artist's personal struggles and innovative use of light.

Unveiling the emotional tension in Caravaggio's 'Judith and Holofernes,' a dramatic narrative of good versus evil comes to light through distinctive stylistic elements.

Caravaggio's 1601 Crucifixion of St. Peter showcases mastery of light, human detail and transformative narrative in this iconic Baroque masterpiece.

An analysis of Caravaggio's The Conversion of St. Paul and its representation of the powerful transformation of the future apostle.

Dive deeper into the history and symbolism of early Christian art with our analysis of the ancient Nativity Fresco in the Catacombs of Santa Priscilla, Rome

Pamfilo of Magliano (Giovanni Paolo Pietrobattista) was a Franciscan friar who lived a life characterised by intelligence, determination, and resilience, writes Carla, Giovanni’s great niece.

Each of us is constantly torn between comfortable facade truths, and those deep and real truths that sometimes elude us. For most people, it is relatively easy to keep the uncomfortable aspects of authentic truths hidden.

Born in 1663, Petronilla Paolini broke through society's patriarchal cage with the only weapon she had at her disposal, her art... writes Carla Pietrobattista.

Who makes graffiti? Street children who vandalise walls or mysterious artists whose works are worth millions? You may be surprised to know these three historical graffiti.

Located in the gallery of Uffizi, Michelangelo’s Doni Tondo (Tondo Doni) portrays the holy family and represents a unicum in Michelangelo's artistic production.

How Michelangelo created the last judgement.

The divine complexity of Dante's Commedia has not only produced sterile admiration but has been able to generate new art in all the shapes and forms. This piece looks at Dante's impact on the Michelangelo.

In the 15th century city of Florence, Luca della Robbia goes on to create a recipe for the perfect glazed sculpture, an art form that, at the time, did not fit into the rigid cataloging art.

Painted during the 1600s and stolen in 1969, Caravaggio’s Nativity With Saints Lorenzo and Francesco is a master work that celebrates the sacredness of the moment without idealising its origins.

The Artemisia, also known as the mugwort flower, is a symbol of gratitude, the leaves of the plant give energy and certainly have nothing to do with addiction to absinthe, a substance obtained from them, which generates addiction when associated with alcoholic substances. Gratitude is the feeling that each of us should have towards every artist.

I don’t think I have yet reached my own style in writing and I don’t even think I want to reach it so as not to end up entangled in webs created by myself. I do not love to rely on chance, but do enjoy spontaneous and sudden thoughts.

Discover the story of the Veiled Christ, a sculpture by Giuseppe Sanmartino housed in the Sansevero Chapel in Naples.