The International Institute for baroque Studies has been invited to participate and submit papers in an international Conference organised by the Department of Arts and Cultural Heritage at the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli’ in Santa Maria Capua Vetere, Italy.
This was held on 15-16 June 2022 and entitled 'I Carafa Di Roccella - Storia, Architettura e Arte di una famiglia feudale tra Napoli, La Calabria e Malta', this conference explored a number of themes concerning the influential Carafa family of Grand Master Gregorio Carafa (1680-1690). These themes and lectures about them covered the history of the family:
- Relationships with the Order of Malta and other religious Orders.
- Architecture and Art in Malta patronised by the Carafa family.
- Architecture and History of the Calabrian holdings of the Carafa family.
- The history, art and architecture of the town of Aversa near Naples.
- The architecture of the Carafa family in Naples: palaces, villas and religious buildings.
- The artistic patronage of the Carafa family in the Baroque Age.
The team at the Institute contributing papers to the proceedings of this conference consisted of:
- Professor Denis De Lucca who submitted a paper entitled 'Abbondante de’ propii meriti nella Religione di Malta” focusing on the family connections, overseas contacts, election, naval battles, fortifications and diplomatic achievements of Grand Master Gregorio Carafa, as seen in the contemporary European context of the late seventeenth century.
- Architect Dr Claude Busuttil who as a lecturer in the Institute addressed the architectural achievements of Grand Master Carafa and the roles of his resident military engineer Mederico Blondel entitled 'The civil and ecclesiastical buildings attributed to Mederic Blondel commission during the rule of Grandmaster Gregorio Carafa (1680-1690)' .
- , who as a visiting lecturer in the Institute delivered a lecture on I Carafa a Malta – 'Consolidando il prestigio di famiglia', focusing on artistic works during the principate of Grand Master Carafa.
The conference was inaugurated by Professor Maria Gabriella Pezone, the convenor and by Professor Giulio Sodano, head of the Department of Arts and Cultural Heritage who gave an introductory lecture on Nuovi studi sulla Calabria feudale. It was concluded by Professor Aurelio Musi who summed up some important aspects meriting further research, that emerged during the proceedings of the conference, focusing on the important roles played by various members of the Carafa di Roccella princes as prominent warriors, diplomats, patrons of the arts and silk merchants in the context of Baroque Italy.
