In Rome, where history lingers in every stone, wine has flowed quietly through centuries of daily life and tradition. Long before emperors and basilicas defined the city, wine was already present—shaping rituals, gatherings, and social customs. From the myths of Dionysus, known to the Romans as Bacchus, to the vineyards that once covered the surrounding hills, wine has long stood at the meeting point of nature and culture. This lecture traces its early origins and follows its path into Roman life, where it became a familiar and meaningful part of both everyday moments and larger traditions.

The Vatican Pinacoteca is celebrated for its universally admired masterpieces — from Raphael’s luminous altarpieces to Caravaggio’s dramatic intensity. Yet beyond these iconic works lies a remarkable constellation of paintings that rarely receive sustained attention, though they are no less revealing in their historical, theological, and artistic significance. This one-hour lecture invites participants to step away from the spotlight and into the margins of the collection. Moving beyond the celebrated canvases by Raphael and Caravaggio, we will explore overlooked devotional panels, transitional works, workshop productions, and paintings by artists whose names may be less familiar but whose contributions shaped the visual language of the Church.