Caravaggio

Caravaggio (1571–1610), Italian, Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, was born in Milan on September 29, 1571, and passed away in Porto Ercole on July 18, 1610. A pivotal figure in the transition from Mannerism to Baroque, Caravaggio's work is celebrated for its dramatic use of chiaroscuro and a naturalistic approach that broke away from the idealized forms of his predecessors. His early training in Milan under Simone Peterzano, a pupil of Titian, laid the foundation for his distinctive style. Caravaggio's move to Rome marked the beginning of a prolific period where he produced works that captivated and sometimes scandalized his contemporaries with their raw emotional intensity and unflinching realism.
Caravaggio's life was as tumultuous as his art was revolutionary. Known for his fiery temperament, his career was overshadowed by frequent brawls and legal troubles, culminating in a death sentence for murder in 1606. This forced him into exile, during which he continued to paint masterpieces in Naples, Malta, and Sicily. Despite his personal struggles, Caravaggio's influence on the Baroque movement and subsequent generations of artists is undeniable. His innovative techniques and thematic boldness redefined the possibilities of painting, making him a cornerstone of Western art history. Posthumously, his work experienced periods of obscurity before being reevaluated in the 20th century, securing his legacy as one of the most influential artists of all time.