Definition:
Caravaggio, or to give him his full name Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, was an Italian painter notorious even during his own lifetime (for his lifestyle and fiery temper as much as his art). He was born on 29 September 1571 and died on 18 July 1610. He fled Rome in 1606 after killing a man in a brawl, and moved to Naples, Malta, and Sicily.
His paintings are characterized by dramatic lighting spotlighting individual figures within a composition (known as tenebrism or chiaroscuro). He also painted his figures realistically, rejecting any idealism of the human figure, even when painting religious (Christian) themes.
Examples of Caravaggio's Paintings:
- "The Taking of Christ" (National Gallery of Art, Washington)
- "Salome receives the Head of Saint John the Baptist" (National Gallery, London)
- "The Supper at Emmaus" (National Gallery, London)
See Also: Comparing Rembrandt and Caravaggio at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.
