One of the most significant painters of all time, not to mention my favorite of all time. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was like many famous painters and yet not like them at all. Troubled but seeking beauty and truth through light and darkness. He broke the conservative rules during a time when Catholicism was determined to convert the world and use art as a powerful propaganda method. Come and explore over 20 objects of art that either were made by Caravaggio and those influenced by his ability to bring the emotional and physical together.
Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness, Michelangelo Merisi, called Caravaggio, 1604 - 1605, From the collection of: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Deeply religious and yet sensual in its visual physionomy of form and flesh, Caravaggio heightens the senses with his chiaroscuro technique. Check out BBC's video below on the Artitst
Cupid as Victor, Caravaggio, around 1601, From the collection of: Gemäldegalerie, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
A delightful and playful Amor Vincit was a boy named Cecco, possibly Caravaggio's servant and/or pupil. Caravaggio's early work dealt more with allegorical themes but were certainly of interest to Cardinal Del Monte even if they evoked a sexual nature.
Saint John the Baptist, Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi), 1602, From the collection of: Musei Capitolini
Innocent and fleshy, Caravaggio takes what is a sacred figure of Saint John the Baptist and transformed his image as of one debated on to be profane. The ram is as often a symbol of lust as of sacrifice, and this ***** smirking boy conveys no sense of sin whatsoever.
Good Luck, Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi), 1594/1595, From the collection of: Musei Capitolini
Will she tell his fortune or get her own in the process? Who do you have most empathy with here? The beautiful poor gypsy or Mr. Sophisticated man?
Medusa, Caravaggio Merisi, 1595 - 1598, From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
One of my favorite works of art on a real shield. Caravaggio's true genius shows in his own concept to paint the Head of Medusa seeing her own reflection as she gets her head cut off. Check out a video excerpt on the movie Caravaggio from 1993 that highlights the shield. The surprise and rage of her end is realistically expressed in her reflected painting! Well done Caravaggio!
Medusa, Caravaggio Merisi, 1595 - 1598, From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
A Detail from the Shield: Imagine the fear of this woman, poor thing. This is a great closeup of Caravaggio's capability in using light and dark to enhance the emotional drama that he is known for
The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame, circa, From the collection of: Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Clearly influenced by Caravaggio, De La Tour brings many similar stylistic effects from Caravaggio's work of using a single source of light and simple background making it a Caravagesc painting
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Caravaggio, Around 1598, From the collection of: Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
A beautiful portrait and one that is so expressive bringing empathy for the viewer's realization that this young maiden is about to be martyred.
Sacrifice of Isaac, Caravaggio Merisi, 1603 - 1604, From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
Caravaggio often used models right in his own neighborhood . Can you find these guys in other paintings?
Madonna of the Rosary, Michelangelo Merisi, called Caravaggio, 1605/1607, From the collection of: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
Nuns actually rejected this piece due to the the model of Mary not looking too holy than though? What would you have done with this painting? Remember this is 1605.
The Resurrection, Francesco Buoneri, called Cecco del Caravaggio (Italian, 1588/90–after 1620), 1619/20, From the collection of: The Art Institute of Chicago
Reminds me of the multiple figure religious paintings that further define Baroque painting characteristics of inferred diagonals of dramatic action. Although there are few real Caravaggio's in the world, The Art Institute of Chicago certainly has its share of Caravagesc influenced paintings.
Judith and Holofernes, Artemisia Gentileschi, 1620 - 1621, From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
Proud to include this piece painted by a woman, very few in those days a powerful scene of Judith.
(Main View), From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
Again another Caravaggio inspired painter.
The Night Watch, Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, 1642, From the collection of: Rijksmuseum
Rembrandt is highly influenced by the Italian's ability to bring light and darkness in harmony and yet with a dynamic balance.
Return of the Prodigal Son, Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, 1663 - 1665, From the collection of: The State Hermitage Museum
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
