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Caravaggio: Life, Sacred, and Profane

Ike Bell

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Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, better known simply as Caravaggio, was one of the most influential painters of the Baroque period. His revolutionary use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses extreme contrasts between light and dark, created a heightened sense of drama and emotion in his paintings. Caravaggio's work was often controversial, and he was known for his turbulent personal life, which included numerous arrests and a brief stint in prison.

Early life and training

Caravaggio was born in Milan, Italy, in 1571. His father was a stone mason, and his mother was a seamstress. Caravaggio showed an early talent for art, and at the age of 13, he was apprenticed to the painter Simone Peterzano in Milan. Peterzano was a follower of the Mannerist style, which was popular at the time. Caravaggio learned the basics of painting from Peterzano, but he was soon dissatisfied with the Mannerist style and began to develop his own unique approach to painting.

Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane

by Andrew Graham-Dixon

4.6 out of 5

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Rome and early success

In 1592, Caravaggio moved to Rome, where he quickly gained a reputation as a talented painter. He received his first major commission in 1599, when he was commissioned to paint the Calling of Saint Matthew for the Contarelli Chapel in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi. The painting was a critical and commercial success, and it established Caravaggio as one of the leading painters in Rome.

Controversy and exile

Caravaggio's success was short-lived. In 1606, he was involved in a brawl that resulted in the death of a man. Caravaggio was forced to flee Rome, and he spent the rest of his life in exile. He traveled to Naples, Malta, and Sicily, and he continued to paint throughout his exile. However, his paintings from this period were often more violent and pessimistic than his earlier work.

Death and legacy

Caravaggio died in Porto Ercole, Italy, in 1610, at the age of 39. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear, but it is believed that he died from a fever. Caravaggio's death was a tragic loss to the art world, but his legacy continues to live on. He is considered one of the most important painters of the Baroque period, and his work has influenced generations of artists.

The Caravaggio Style

Caravaggio's style is characterized by its use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses extreme contrasts between light and dark. This technique creates a heightened sense of drama and emotion in his paintings. Caravaggio also used strong, vibrant colors, and his figures are often depicted with a sense of realism. His work is often characterized by its violence and brutality, but he also painted religious scenes and portraits.

Caravaggio's Paintings

Caravaggio's paintings are some of the most famous and influential works of art in the world. Some of his most famous works include:

The Calling of Saint Matthew (1599-1600)
The Supper at Emmaus (1601-1602)
The Entombment of Christ (1602-1603)
The Madonna of Loreto (1603-1604)
The Death of the Virgin (1605-1606)
The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist (1608-1609)

Caravaggio's Influence

Caravaggio's work had a profound influence on the development of Baroque painting. His use of chiaroscuro and his realistic depiction of figures were adopted by many other artists, including Rembrandt, Rubens, and Bernini. Caravaggio's work also had a significant impact on the development of Caravaggism, a style of painting that emphasized the use of chiaroscuro and realism.

Caravaggio was one of the most important and influential painters of the Baroque period. His revolutionary use of chiaroscuro, his strong, vibrant colors, and his realistic depiction of figures created a heightened sense of drama and emotion in his paintings. Caravaggio's work was often controversial, but it continues to be admired and studied by artists and art historians today.

**SEO Title:** Caravaggio: A Master of Light and Darkness

**:** Caravaggio's painting "The Calling of Saint Matthew" depicts the moment when Jesus Christ calls Matthew the tax collector to be his disciple. The painting is characterized by its use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses extreme contrasts between light and dark to create a heightened sense of drama and emotion.

Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane

by Andrew Graham-Dixon

4.6 out of 5