Tyler Grove

Caravaggio was born Michelangelo Merisi on September 28, 1573. It is unsure

but he is thought to have studied under Cavaliere d'Arpino and Giuseppe Cesari in his

early years. His best known of his early works is “The Musicians” (1592) which is a

genre painting (a scene from everyday life). “The Musicians” was completed for

Caravaggios first important patron Francesco Cardinal del Monte.

In 1600 Caravaggio was commissioned to paint three scenes from the life of

Matthew in the Contarelli Chapel in San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. This painting was

noted for its use of “cellar light” to illuminate the hand of Christ. “Cellar light” was used

in Michelangos painting in the Sistine chapel.

After being charged with murder in Rome, Caravaggio fled to Naples. In Naples

he completed Flagellation of Christ “which were crucial to the development of naturalism

among the artists of that city”. Caravaggio traveled to Malta where he was made a knight

or cavaliere of the Maltese Order. He painted a famous portrait of Alof de Wignacourt

(1608) who was a fellow cavaliere.

Caravaggio was jailed in Malta and escaped and moved to Sicily. Encarta noted

that his canvases he made in Sicily are well known for their use of “multi-figured

compositions of great drama achieved through dark tonalities and selective use of

lighting.”

Caravaggio died of a fever contracted when he was mistakenly arrested in

Tuscany. He died on July 18th 1610. His effect on Art was his ability to lead a nature

movement in Italy.

Source for Info: Encarta Reference 2005