| ARTIST INDEX | GO BACK |
|
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.
|
 96.7K, 920 x 882 | MORE INFO The Calling of Saint Matthew Painted: 1599-1600 Oil on canvas 10' 7 1/2' X 11' 2 Contarelli Chapel, Church of San Luigi dei Francesi Rome | The Inspiration of Saint Matthew Painted: 1602 Oil on canvas 9' 8 1/2" x 6' 2 1/2" Contarelli Chapel, Church of San Luigi dei Francesi Rome |
 114.1K, 731 x 1177 |
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.
|
 42.4K, 649 x 800 |
David and Goliath Oil on canvas 48 x 35 cm Museo del Prado Madrid |
The Death of the Virgin Painted: 1605-06 Oil on canvas Louvre |
 28.5K, 458 x 700 |
 30.9K, 440 x 600 |
The Deposition Painted: 1604 Pinacoteca Vaticana Rome |
The Fortune Teller Painted: 1594-95 Canvas 48 x 35 cm Louvre |
 82.9K, 1000 x 713 |
 108.3K, 1075 x 788 |
Judith Beheading Holofernes Painted: 1598 Oil on canvas 56 3/4 x 76 3/4 in Galleria Nazionale dell'Arte Antica Rome |
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas Painted: 1601-02 Oil on canvas 42 1/8 x 57 1/2 Neues Palais Potsdam |
 96.5K, 1070 x 776 |
 156.9K, 849 x 1006 |
Bacchus Painted: 1597 Oil on canvas 37 3/8 x 33 1/2 in Uffizi |
Supper at Emmaus Painted: 1600-01 Oil on canvas 54 3/4 x 76 3/4 in National Gallery London |
 160.8K, 1092 x 772 |
 47.2K, 800 x 631 |
The Sacrifice of Isaac Painted: 1590-1610 Oil on canvas Uffizi |
The Crucifixion of Saint Peter Painted: 1600-01 Oil on canvas 90 1/2 x 70 in Cerasi Chapel, Santa Maria del Popola Rome |
 99.1K, 807 x 1038 |
 59.0K, 750 x 800 |
Medusa Painted: after 1590 Oil on canvas mounted on wood Uffizi |
||