Caravaggio

NAME Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, commonly known as Caravaggio.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Caravaggio was a revolutionary Baroque painter, known for dramatic use of light and shadow (tenebrism), and realistic depictions of religious and mythological subjects.

BIRTH Caravaggio was born on September 29, 1571, in Milan, Italy.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Caravaggio came from a modest family; his father, Fermo Merisi, was a steward and architect-decorator to the Marquis of Caravaggio, a town near Bergamo. His mother, Lucia Aratori, hailed from a respected family in the town of Caravaggio, near Bergamo.

CHILDHOOD  To escape the plague that ravaged Milan in 1576, the family relocated to Caravaggio, from which the future artist later took his name. Both Caravaggio's father grandfather tragically perished the following year.

Caravaggio's mother was left to raise their five children in poverty. Despite their financial struggles, the family maintained connections with influential families like the Sforzas and Colonnas. In 1584, the same year his mother passed away, Caravaggio embarked on a four-year apprenticeship with the Milanese painter Simone Peterzano.

EDUCATION Caravaggio received a typical artisan's education, apprenticing around the age of 13 to the painter Simone Peterzano in Milan, who claimed to be a pupil of Titian. This early training in Milan exposed him to both the Lombard tradition of naturalism and the emerging styles of the late Renaissance.

CAREER RECORD Caravaggio’s career was marked by both artistic brilliance and personal turmoil. He achieved great success in Rome, where he painted for influential patrons. His controversial style and violent temper led to exile from the city. He continued to paint in Naples, Malta, and Sicily before his untimely death.

APPEARANCE Contemporary descriptions and self-portraits suggest that Caravaggio was of medium build, a scarred face, dark hair and a brooding, intense gaze that reflected the passionate nature of his personality.

Chalk portrait of Caravaggio by Ottavio Leoni c 1621

FASHION Caravaggio was known for his somewhat unkempt appearance and rebellious attitude toward the fashion of the time. Unlike many of his peers, he did not adopt the luxurious clothing styles of the Roman elite, often appearing in simple, worn garments.

CHARACTER Caravaggio was notorious for his volatile temperament and violent behavior. He was frequently involved in brawls, duels, and legal disputes, which often overshadowed his artistic achievements. His aggressive nature earned him as many enemies as admirers.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Caravaggio’s sharp wit and penchant for satirical touches in his work suggest he had a keen, if dark, sense of irony.

RELATIONSHIPS Caravaggio never married and had no known children. His relationships were often controversial and shrouded in mystery. He was rumored to have been romantically involved with his models, including Fillide Melandroni, a well-known Roman prostitute, and possibly with his young assistant, Cecco del Caravaggio. He was also connected to Lena, another model, who was the subject of a violent altercation with a notary.

MONEY AND FAME Though Caravaggio achieved significant fame and had many wealthy patrons during his lifetime, his volatile nature often put him in financial and legal troubles. His violent behavior led to frequent relocations, and he was constantly on the run from authorities.

FOOD AND DRINK Given the social context of the time, his diet likely consisted of bread, cheese, wine, and meat. Caravaggio’s temper and frequent involvement in tavern brawls suggest a fondness for drinking, which often exacerbated his impulsive nature.

One particularly infamous incident involved a flying plate of artichokes. A disagreement over the preparation of this thorny vegetable escalated into a full-blown culinary assault, with the hapless waiter bearing the brunt of the artist’s frustration. While the outcome wasn’t catastrophic, the episode perfectly encapsulates Caravaggio’s volatile nature, adding another dramatic brushstroke to his already colorful life.

MUSIC AND ARTS Caravaggio’s artistic circle included musicians and poets, and his paintings often reflect a deep understanding of contemporary music and literature. His work is known for its emotional intensity, much like the music of his time, and often depicted scenes with musical instruments, emphasizing the connection between the arts.

Caravaggio was no choirboy. This Italian dude was a painter, sure, but he was also a walking, talking, paint-splattered disaster. He was a master of the dramatic, but his real-life dramas were often more compelling than his canvases.

The guy could paint. No question about it. His pictures are like little windows into a world of shadow and light, where ordinary people look like saints or sinners, depending on the day. He invented this whole moody, dramatic style – tenebrism, they call it – and every artist after him was like, “Wow, that’s pretty cool.”

But Caravaggio? He was more interested in brawling than brushing. He was a hothead, a troublemaker, and generally a pain in the neck. He got himself into so much trouble, he had to do a runner from Rome. So, he bounced around Italy like a pinball, painting masterpieces in Naples, Malta, and Sicily, all while dodging the long arm of the law. And when he wasn’t painting or fighting, he was probably drinking way too much wine and causing general mayhem.

In the end, this troubled genius didn’t live to a ripe old age. He died young, leaving behind a legacy of stunning art and a whole lot of unanswered questions.

LITERATURE Caravaggio’s work often shows a deep engagement with the religious and classical texts that were popular during the Baroque period.

NATURE Caravaggio’s relationship with nature was expressed through his art, particularly in his still-life paintings, which feature meticulously rendered fruits, flowers, and animals, showing his keen observation of the natural world.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Caravaggio was known to be an avid fencer and frequently participated in duels and other forms of combat. His penchant for physical confrontation was notorious and often landed him in trouble.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Caravaggio’s work demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of geometry and perspective, essential skills for an artist of his time. His mastery of chiaroscuro required a deep knowledge of light and shadow, elements that intersect with scientific principles of optics.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Caravaggio’s paintings often explored themes of sin, redemption, and human suffering, reflecting the intense religious fervor of the Counter-Reformation era. His work engaged deeply with Catholic theology, though his personal beliefs remain somewhat ambiguous.

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio

POLITICS Caravaggio’s art was often political in its commentary, reflecting the turbulent social and religious climate of post-Reformation Italy. He worked for several powerful patrons connected to the Church, but his life was marked by rebellion against authority.

SCANDAL Caravaggio’s life was riddled with scandal. He was involved in numerous violent incidents, including the murder of Ranuccio Tomassoni during a brawl over a game of tennis on May 29, 1606. His involvement with various models, including prostitutes, and his rumored homosexual relationships also fueled controversy.

MILITARY RECORD Though Caravaggio never served in the military, his affinity for weapons and frequent participation in duels suggests a combative nature.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Caravaggio was known for his physical strength and prowess, often engaging in violent confrontations. However, his health deteriorated in his later years, likely due to his chaotic lifestyle. At the time of his death, he was suffering from a fever, and theories about the cause of his death include lead poisoning, malaria, or sepsis from a wound.

HOMES Caravaggio lived in various locations throughout his life, including Milan, Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily. He often rented rooms or lodgings rather than owning his own home. The troubled artist often had to flee from one place to another due to his legal troubles. His most notable residence was in Rome, where he produced some of his most famous works.

TRAVEL Caravaggio’s life was marked by constant movement, especially after the murder of Tomassoni in 1606. He fled Rome and traveled through Naples, Malta, and Sicily, often seeking refuge from his enemies and the law. His travels significantly influenced his work, leading to some of his most dramatic and intense paintings.

DEATH Caravaggio died on July 18, 1610, in Porto Ercole, Tuscany. The exact cause of his death remains a matter of debate, with theories ranging from lead poisoning to sepsis. His remains were buried in the San Sebastiano cemetery in Porto Ercole, later moved to St. Erasmus cemetery. In 2010, researchers identified what they believe to be his remains.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Caravaggio has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films. In 2022, a biopic, L'Ombra di Caravaggio, directed by Michele Placido, was released. He also features prominently in Steven Zaillian's Netflix series Ripley, where he is portrayed by Daniele Rienzo.

ACHIEVEMENTS Caravaggio’s legacy lies in his profound influence on the Baroque movement and the history of Western art. His pioneering use of chiaroscuro and his emotionally charged, realistic portrayals of religious and mythological subjects transformed painting, inspiring generations of artists who followed in his footsteps. Despite his turbulent life, his work remains some of the most celebrated in the history of art.