As part of the opening weekend celebration for Caravaggio | Revolution: Baroque Masterpieces from Roberto Longhi Foundation, Professor Cristina Acidini will delve into the legacy of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, as well as the revolutionary techniques and emotional realism that defined the Baroque style. In addition to, she will discuss the vision of Roberto Longhi, the 20th-century art historian and collector who helped to re-establish Caravaggio as a Baroque master, and give an insider’s view into the Roberto Longhi Foundation’s origins, scholarship, and the cultural significance of the extraordinary works on display, including Caravaggio’s Boy Bitten by a Lizard.

About Cristina Acidini

Cristina Acidini is an Italian art historian and author from Florence, Italy. She has held senior leadership roles in Italy’s cultural-heritage administration—serving as deputy superintendent of Florence’s Museum and Artistic Heritage State Board (1991–99), directing the Opificio delle Pietre Dure (2000–08), and later presiding over the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno. A specialist in Renaissance art, she has published widely and is a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and a Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

The Mint Museum’s 13th  annual Coveted Couture Gala returns Saturday, April 25, 2026, for an extraordinary evening celebrating the opening of Caravaggio | Revolution: Baroque Masterpieces from the Roberto Longhi Foundation.

This year’s gala marks a singular moment in the museum’s history, honoring one of the most influential figures in Western art. With Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s masterful Boy Bitten by a Lizard at the heart of this exhibition, plus 55 other works by artists inspired by Caravaggio, the exhibition explores his revolutionary use of light, emotion, and realism, and the profound impact he had on the Baroque era and beyond.

Under the leadership of longtime Mint supporters Mary Lou Babb, Beverly Hance, Jo Ann Peer, and Pat Rodgers, the evening will transform the tented lawn of Mint Museum Randolph into an elegant setting inspired by the drama and grandeur of 17th-century Italy. Guests will experience an immersive atmosphere as bold and captivating as the masterpieces that inspired it.

Each year, the Coveted Couture Gala brings together the museum’s most dedicated patrons, cultural leaders, and community visionaries for an evening celebrating creativity, philanthropy, and the enduring power of art. As the Mint’s signature fundraising event, the gala provides critical support for the Mint Annual Fund, sustaining exhibitions, education initiatives, community engagement, and the care of the permanent collection.