TheBaroque periodwas an art movement defined by an interest in dramatic, awe-inspiring work.
One of the artists responsible for creating the key features of this style is Italian creativeCaravaggio.
Instead, he producedradical paintingswith dynamic compositions, intense lighting, and un-idealistic figures.
Raised and trained in Milan, Caravaggio did not flourish as an artist until he moved to Rome.
There, his inimitable style caught the eye of several influential patrons and he quickly rose to fame.
Scroll down to learn more about Caravaggio’s life and some of the characteristics of his art.
Ottavio Leoni, “Portrait of Caravaggio,” c. 1621 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Who Was Caravaggio?
He traveled to Rome and began painting flowers and fruit for the popular artist Cesari to support himself.
Ultimately, this relationship also ended with an argument and Caravaggio decided to become an independent artist.
Caravaggio, “Boy with a Basket of Fruit,” c. 1593–1594 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Using real models, he began making realistic narratives with a noticeable psychological element to them.
Over time, his painting style would change too as he incorporated more visual contrast into his pieces.
He incorporated an intense contrast of light and dark calledtenebrismand based his figures on real people.
Caravaggio, “Conversion on the Way to Damascus,” c. 1600–1601 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
This emphasis on realism was controversial for audiences accustomed to the idealism of Renaissance art like that of Michelangelo.
In time, Caravaggio became one of the most famous painters in Rome.
As a result, the compositions are immersed in a dramatic ambiance.
Caravaggio, “David with the Head of Goliath,” 1610 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
With this in mind, he usedreal people as modelsfor his characters, whether they were biblical or not.
His paintings do not leave much empty space, which emphasizes the emotional and psychological qualities of the narrative.
This was an intentional decision, to fully shock the viewers with the intensity of the paintings.
Caravaggio, “The Calling of Saint Matthew,” c. 1599–1600 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
He remained there for a couple of months.
Caravaggio’s reputation as a famous artist carried over, and he received a slew of new commissions.
Soon enough, however, Caravaggio changed locations again, this time to Malta.
Caravaggio, “Crucifixion of St. Peter,” 1600 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
There, he became a painter for the Knights of Saint John before being made a knight himself.
After Malta, Caravaggio moved to Sicily for nine months and then finally returned to Naples.
The exact circumstances of Caravaggio’s death remain unclear to this day.
Caravaggio, “The Cardsharps,” c. 1595 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Many of his paintings remain in their original locations and can be seen in churches across Rome.
Caravaggio, “Judith Beheading Holofernes,” c. 1598–1599 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Caravaggio, “The Taking of Christ,” 1602 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Caravaggio, “The Entombment of Christ,” c. 1602–1603 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Caravaggio, “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist,” 1608 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Caravaggio, “Death of the Virgin,” c. 1601–1606 (Photo:Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
