CARAVAGGIO
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610), known simply as Caravaggio, is one of the most revolutionary and influential painters in the history of Western art.
His bold style, marked by dramatic realism and an innovative use of chiaroscuro, transformed Baroque painting and inspired generations of artists. Caravaggio is distinguished by his ability to capture the raw humanity and intense emotions of his subjects, often drawn from everyday life, which he transfigures into compositions of unparalleled power.
Born in Milan, Caravaggio grew up in a context marked by religious and political upheaval. After his father's untimely death, he settled in Caravaggio, the city that would give the artist his nickname. He began his artistic apprenticeship in Milan before moving to Rome, where he began to gain recognition for his realistic paintings and radically new approach to painting.
Caravaggio broke with the conventions of his time by incorporating ordinary figures and street models into his works. He favored a striking realism, not hesitating to reveal human imperfections, dirt, and raw emotions. Among his first major works is The Rest on the Flight into Egypt (1597), which already illustrates his mastery of chiaroscuro and his sensitivity to human interaction.
In the 1600s, Caravaggio created several religious masterpieces, including The Calling of Saint Matthew (1600), in which he depicts the divine call with striking simplicity and theatricality. This work marked a turning point in his career, earning him recognition from influential patrons. The Conversion of Saint Paul (1601) and The Death of the Virgin (1606) also demonstrate his ability to combine realism and spirituality to create compositions of unique visual intensity.
However, Caravaggio's turbulent temperament and his life marked by excess and violence contrasted with the spiritual depth of his art.
In 1606, he was implicated in a murder during a brawl and was forced to flee Rome to escape a death sentence. This period of exile, spent between Naples, Malta, and Sicily, was nevertheless extremely productive. He produced works such as David with the Head of Goliath (1609), a poignant allegory of redemption and repentance.
Caravaggio's revolutionary use of chiaroscuro, which consisted of juxtaposing areas of deep shadow and brilliant light, gave his works an incomparable dramatic intensity. This style, which accentuated the realism and emotion of scenes, profoundly influenced his contemporaries and gave rise to the Caravaggist school, a group of artists across Europe who drew inspiration from his aesthetic.
Caravaggio died in 1610 under mysterious circumstances, hoping to obtain papal pardon to return to Rome. Despite his untimely death at the age of 38, his artistic legacy remains immense. His works, housed in the world's greatest museums, such as the Louvre, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, and the Borghese Gallery in Rome, continue to captivate with their emotional power and modernity.
Today, Caravaggio's works are among the most sought-after on the art market.
His paintings, rare due to his short career, fetch colossal sums when they appear on the market. In 2014, a controversial reattribution of Judith and Holofernes, discovered in Toulouse, sparked worldwide interest, with an estimate exceeding €100 million. His drawings and studies, although even rarer, also bear witness to his genius and attract the attention of collectors.
If you own a work or object inspired by Caravaggio, our online appraisal service can help you determine its value. A thorough analysis, based on authenticity, provenance, and condition, is essential to unlock your piece's potential. Our expertise guarantees you an accurate valuation, in line with market trends.
Caravaggio's legacy lies in his ability to transform religious and secular painting into a visceral and emotional experience. His compositions, blending raw realism and spirituality, continue to illuminate and inspire contemporary art. To own a work or reinterpretation by Caravaggio is to connect with one of the greatest innovators in the history of art.
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