Caravaggio, Michelangelo Merisi da
Caravaggio
(1573-1610). Probably the most revolutionary artist of his time,
the Italian painter Caravaggio abandoned the rules that had guided a century
of artists before him. They had idealized the human and religious experience.
He was born Michelangelo Merisi on Sept. 28, 1573, in Caravaggio, Italy.
As an adult he would become known by the name of his birthplace. Orphaned at
age 11, he was apprenticed to the painter Simone Peterzano of Milan for four
years. At some time between 1588 and 1592, Caravaggio went to Rome and worked
as an assistant to painters of lesser skill. About 1595 he began to sell his
paintings through a dealer. The dealer brought Caravaggio to the attention of
Cardinal Francesco del Monte.
Through the cardinal, Caravaggio was commissioned, at age 24, to paint for
the church of San Luigi dei Francesi. In its Contarelli Chapel Caravaggio's
realistic naturalism first fully appeared in three scenes he created of the
life of St. Matthew. The works caused public outcry, however, because of
their realistic and dramatic nature.
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The Calling of Saint Matthew
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The Inspiration of Saint Matthew
1602 (110 Kb); Oil on canvas, 9' 8 1/2" x 6' 2 1/2";
Contarelli Chapel, Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome
Despite violent criticism, his reputation increased and Caravaggio began
to be envied. He had many encounters with the law during his stay in Rome. He
was imprisoned for several assaults and for killing an opponent after a
disputed score in a game of court tennis. Caravaggio fled the city and kept
moving between hiding places. He reached Naples, probably early in 1607, and
painted there for a time, awaiting a pardon by the pope. Here there was a
in his painting style. The dark and urgent nature of his paintings at
this time must have reflected Caravaggio's desperate state of mind.
Early in 1608 Caravaggio went to Malta and was received as a celebrated
artist. Fearful of pursuit, he continued to flee for two more years, but his
paintings of this time were among the greatest of his career. After receiving
a pardon from the pope, he was wrongfully arrested and imprisoned for two
days. A boat that was to take him to Rome left without him, taking his
belongings. Misfortune, exhaustion, and illness overtook him as he helplessly
watched the boat depart. He collapsed on the beach and died a few days later
on July 18, 1610.
Contributors:
Mark Harden and
Carol Gerten-Jackson.
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David and Goliath
undated (40 Kb); Oil on canvas; Prado, Madrid
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Medusa
after 1590 (60 Kb); Oil on canvas mounted on wood; Uffizi
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The Fortune Teller
1594-95 (80 Kb); Canvas; Louvre
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Bacchus
c. 1597 (160 Kb); Oil on canvas, 37 3/8 x 33 1/2 in;
Uffizi, Florence
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Judith Beheading Holofernes
c. 1598 (110 Kb); Oil on canvas, 56 3/4 x 76 3/4 in;
Galleria Nazionale dell'Arte Antica, Rome
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The Sacrifice of Isaac
1590-1610 (40 Kb); Oil on canvas; Uffizi
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Supper at Emmaus
c. 1600-01 (170 Kb); Oil on canvas, 54 3/4 x 76 3/4 in;
National Gallery, London
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The Crucifixion of Saint Peter
1600-01 (100 Kb); Oil on canvas, 90 1/2 x 70 in;
Cerasi Chapel, Santa Maria del Popola, Rome
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The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
1601-02 (90 Kb); Oil on canvas, 42 1/8 x 57 1/2 in;
Neues Palais, Potsdam
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The Deposition
1604; Pinacoteca Vaticana in Rome
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The Death of the Virgin
1605-06 (20 Kb); Oil on canvas; Louvre
© 20 May 1996,
Nicolas Pioch -
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