Cento Torce SRL

…unlock the secrets of great art…

Cento Torce SRL was established in 2020 for Professor Tom Henry’s freelance art-historical activities, offering specialist consultancy, tours, lectures and teaching. It is a limited company registered in Italy. Tom is the director and shareholder. The name “Cento Torce” was inspired by accounts of Raphael’s funeral, when the artist’s body was carried to his tomb in the Pantheon, accompanied by a procession of artists carrying 100 torches.

“Raphaello hebbe cento torce portate tucte da’ dipintori”
(Raphael had a hundred torches all carried by artists)

Paolo Maffei describing Raphael’s funeral on 7 April 1520.

Professor Tom Henry

Tom is Emeritus Professor of Art History at the University of Kent in Canterbury, having had a lengthy career in academia over the years since he completed his PhD at the Courtauld Institute in 1996 (latterly as Director of the University’s Rome School of Classical and Renaissance Studies). His particular focus is on Central Italian Renaissance artists, such as Luca Signorelli, Perugino, Pintoricchio, Raphael and Michelangelo. Alongside teaching and research, he has written a monograph on Luca Signorelli and co-authored several books on Raphael. He has curated major international exhibitions including at the National Gallery, London, the Louvre and the Prado. He is currently curating a forthcoming exhibition at the Scuderie in Rome on the subject of the Sack of Rome of 1527, which will open in the autumn of 2027. He is frequently asked to provide an expert opinion on attribution. He is based in London, Umbria. and Rome.

ART HISTORICAL CONSULTANCY

TOURS AND LECTURES

PUBLICATIONS AND EXHIBITIONS

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Art historical consultancy

Research, consultancy and authorship on art historical topics such as questions of attribution, curation of exhibitions, and advice for film and documentary-makers.

Tom has a wealth of experience curating exhibitions and can advise and assist on a freelance basis with the planning and delivery of exhibitions, the research and writing of catalogues and presentation of accompanying videos.

Tom’s expert opinion is often sought by owners wishing to know more about works in their collection. He is frequently asked to research these works of art in order to throw new light on questions of attribution, origin, or provenance.

He has also collaborated with film directors, providing advice on historical context, and has worked with documentary makers, writing appropriate narrative and appearing as presenter.

Art history tours and lectures

Bespoke guided tours to sites of art historical interest in Tuscany, Umbria and Rome. Freelance lecturing and teaching.

Cento Torce offers individually tailored ways to experience the art of Renaissance Italy. This might take the form of an accompanied visit to a museum or exhibition, or an extended tour of an Italian city or area, for individuals or small groups interested in Italian Renaissance art.

Throughout Tom’s career he has spent extended periods based in Italy, particularly Rome, Florence and Umbria, studying the art-historical treasures of Central Italy. He has made a particular point, wherever possible, of teaching his students in front of the objects they are studying.

That experience enables him to plan and deliver bespoke tours for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of these treasures at their own pace with a congenial and learned companion to guide them.

Some examples of tours that Tom has offered in recent years include: The Villas of Tivoli; Raphael in the Vatican; Discovering the Via Giulia; MonteOliveto Maggiore; Raphael in Roman collections (public and private); The Castel Sant’Angelo before, during and after the Sack of 1527. Tom also delivers teaching and lectures for students on a freelance basis.