Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi was born on September 29, 1571, in Milan, Italy, but he is more commonly known as Caravaggio. Caravaggio became one of the most renowned Baroque painters with his dramatic use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, and his realistic portrayal of human figures. His work has had a significant influence on the Baroque art movement and on later artists. Some of his most famous works include 'The Calling of Saint Matthew' and 'Judith Beheading Holofernes'.

Caravaggio's major public work, 'The Calling of Saint Matthew', was unveiled in 1600 and marked a turning point in his career. Commissioned for the Contarelli Chapel in the church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, this painting showcased Caravaggio's revolutionary style that combined dramatic realism with powerful use of light and shadow. It helped establish him as one of the leading painters of his time and contributed to his lasting legacy in the history of art.

On May 29, 1606, Caravaggio was involved in a brawl in Rome that resulted in the death of Ranuccio Tomassoni. The incident was reportedly over a dispute during a game of real tennis, although deeper personal grievances might have played a role. This lethal altercation forced Caravaggio to flee Rome with a bounty on his head. This event precipitated a period of wandering in Caravaggio's life, as he moved between Naples, Malta, and Sicily, continuing his painter's career while avoiding the legal consequences awaiting him in Rome.

Fleeing Rome after his involvement in a deadly brawl, Caravaggio arrived in Malta in 1607. He was seeking refuge as well as new patrons for his art. During his time in Malta, he created several significant works, including 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist', which is considered one of his masterpieces. In 1608, his efforts were recognized by granting him the title of a Knight of the Order of Saint John. However, his tenure in Malta was short-lived due to further legal troubles, leading to his eventual imprisonment and escape.

In October 1608, Caravaggio found himself imprisoned in Malta after a brawl with a senior knight of the Order of Saint John. This incident leads to the revocation of his knighthood which had been conferred earlier for his contributions as a painter. Despite his imprisonment, Caravaggio managed a dramatic escape from the fortress, marking another turbulent chapter in his tumultuous life. He fled to Sicily after his escape, where he continued to paint hauntingly beautiful works even as he lived as a fugitive.

Caravaggio died on July 18, 1610, at the age of 38 under enigmatic circumstances. The nature of his death has been the subject of much speculation, with theories ranging from murder to lead poisoning. Caravaggio passed away in Porto Ercole, in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, just as he had been trying to secure a papal pardon. His untimely death marked the end of a brief but intense artistic career that left a profound impact on the Baroque movement and Western art.

In February 1951, the Italian art historian Roberto Longhi organized an exhibition at the Palazzo Reale in Milan that played a pivotal role in the 20th-century rediscovery of Caravaggio's work. This exhibition featured over 90 paintings and helped establish a renewed appreciation for Caravaggio's dramatic use of light and naturalism. Longhi's scholarship and efforts revived interest in Caravaggio, establishing him as one of the most significant painters in Western art history, influencing generations of artists and scholars worldwide.

In 1984, a major restoration was completed on Caravaggio's 'The Calling of Saint Matthew', one of his most celebrated masterpieces. The restoration aimed to address the damages that had been caused by centuries of exposure and previous restoration efforts that had obscured the original quality of Caravaggio's chiaroscuro. After meticulous work, the painting was returned to its former glory, allowing a new generation of art lovers to appreciate Caravaggio's unique contribution to the world of art and the mastery of light and shadow.

In 2007, art historians confirmed the discovery of Caravaggio's 'The Taking of Christ', a painting that had been considered lost for many years. The painting was found in a Jesuit house in Dublin, Ireland, and its attribution to Caravaggio was celebrated as a significant art historical event. The work depicts the moment of Judas's betrayal of Jesus, showcasing Caravaggio's distinctive realism and dramatic use of light and shadow. The rediscovery highlighted the ongoing impact of Caravaggio's work in art history.

In September 2020, a painting identified as a potential Caravaggio masterpiece, 'Judith and Holofernes', became the subject of controversy when it was removed from auction at the last minute. Art experts were divided over whether the painting was a genuine Caravaggio or the work of a close follower. The piece was discovered in an attic near Toulouse, France, and the finding spurred debates about authentication processes and the ethical implications of art sales. The painting's fate and definitive origins remain subjects of intense scholarly debate.