Caravaggio (1571–1610) Caravaggio’s dramatic realism and radical use of chiaroscuro—intense light piercing deep shadow—shocked and mesmerized 17th-century Europe. Rejecting idealized figures, he painted saints and martyrs as ordinary people, often using street folk as models, with dirty feet and wrinkled brows. His works like The Calling of Saint Matthew or The Conversion of Saint Paul fused divine revelation with gritty physicality, making sacred stories feel immediate and visceral. This “naturalism” sparked controversy but inspired legions of followers (the Caravaggisti) across Italy, Spain, and beyond. A volatile man who killed in a duel and fled justice, his life mirrored his art’s tension between darkness and grace. Though forgotten for centuries after his death, Caravaggio was rediscovered in the 20th century as a proto-modernist—raw, psychological, and cinematic. His influence echoes in film noir, photography, and contemporary painting. Caravaggio proved that holiness could dwell in the imperfect, and that truth often lies in shadow.
Add Comment + Vote ( 1 )...
There are currently no comments!