Caravaggio

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Canestra di frutta (Caravaggio)

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Caravaggio - I Musici

Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy-Caravaggio (c.1595)

Michelangelo Caravaggio 020

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Caravaggio - Medusa - Google Art Project

Caravaggio (29 September 1571 – 18 July 1610), born Michelangelo Merisi, was an Italian painter who is considered one of the pioneers of Baroque art. His works, which combine a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting, had a formative influence on the Baroque school of painting. Despite his tumultuous personal life and his death at the age of 38, Caravaggio's contributions to art have been regarded as some of the most important in the history of Western painting.

Biography

Caravaggio was born in Milan, in the Duchy of Milan, and grew up in Caravaggio, after which he was named. His father, Fermo Merisi, was an architect or a household administrator to the Marquis of Caravaggio; his mother, Lucia Aratori, came from a propertied family. In 1584, Caravaggio apprenticed with the painter Simone Peterzano, who was a pupil of Titian, one of the most famous painters of the day. In his early twenties, Caravaggio moved to Rome, where he initially struggled but eventually found success, becoming known for his realistic approach to painting.

Artistic Style

Caravaggio's painting style is characterized by his use of chiaroscuro, a technique that contrasts light and dark to achieve a sense of volume in modelling three-dimensional objects and figures. This dramatic lighting became a hallmark of his work and influenced the development of the Baroque style. His subjects, often drawn from religion, mythology, and everyday life, are depicted with a previously unseen naturalism. His innovations in the use of light and shadow influenced many artists after him, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Rubens.

Major Works

Some of Caravaggio's most famous works include The Calling of Saint Matthew (1599–1600), Judith Beheading Holofernes (c. 1599), and The Supper at Emmaus (1601). These paintings are celebrated for their dramatic intensity, emotional realism, and unprecedented use of light and shadow.

Controversies and Death

Caravaggio's life was marked by brawls, legal troubles, and a notorious temper. In 1606, he killed a man in a brawl and fled Rome with a price on his head. He wandered through several cities in Italy, continuing to paint and receiving commissions, but his life was often in turmoil. He died in 1610 under mysterious circumstances while on his way to Rome, hoping to receive a pardon for his crimes.

Legacy

Caravaggio's influence on the art world was profound and lasting. He is seen as a key figure in the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque period. His technique and approach to subject matter broke new ground, providing a model for future generations of artists. The intensity and emotionality of his work, combined with his dramatic use of light, have made him a central figure in the study of Baroque art.