Caravaggio was born on the outskirts of Milan to a governess father. After relocating to Rome, in 1595 he received the attention of the cardinal. In 1600, Caravaggio painted several famous works such as "The Call of St. Matthew", "The Crucifixion of St. Matthew", and "St. Matthew and the Angels", and his innovative techniques immediately caused a sensation in the art world.
Self-portrait Caravaggio
The turmoil of the war between the old and the new religions has gradually taken shape in new religious ideas, advocating a return to the simple truth and not being too pretentious and embellishing. Caravaggio's paintings are born in accordance with this spirit, capturing the momentary dynamics through the contrasting effects of light and shadow, exuding sincere and moving emotions.
Because he subscribes to the doctrine of religious poverty, his images of saints are often not holy enough. The vulgar image and bare or filthy feet deeply resented the clergy as caravaggio's contempt for religion. With a strong chiaroscuro contrast, it is like a snapshot, capturing the moment of event interaction. The painting style is smooth and full of movement, the narrative is clear, and the expressions of the characters are vivid, like the effect of drama, even the general public can understand the theme of the painting.
Caravaggio had no disciples, but he influenced countless painters, followers of later generations, and could not surpass his ability to wield light and shadow in the treatment of light and shadow.
Fruit basket Caravaggio
The painting "Fruit Basket" elevates the still life to the theme depicted and becomes its own personality. Whether it's a fruit or a bamboo basket, it's as real as if the object was in front of you. Most notably, the spots on the fruit and the traces of decay and the curling and withering of the leaves, the metaphor of decay and death, always appear in his works.
"The Dinner of Emmaus" Caravaggio
"The Supper of Emmaus", the same subject, Caravaggio also painted in 1596, compared with the two works before and after, it is obvious that his technique has changed. Early light occupies a major position, with strong and clear brushstrokes that emphasize the Holy Spirit in the heart rather than in appearance. In this work, darkness envelops the surroundings, and the shadows seem to be opportunistic, giving people a heavy feeling. The light is flexible and firm, illuminating the faces of everyone around him, and Jesus' expression is calm, as if he were speaking softly, and in the darkness, he reveals a kind of compassion and tolerance.
The Death of the Virgin Caravaggio
The Death of the Virgin Mary is one of the most controversial works. Caravaggio painted the Virgin mary as an ordinary person from the point of view of redeeming the world, and religious people felt that the image of the virgin was ugly and was very dissatisfied with Caravaggio. The Virgin Mary in the painting has messy hair, dresses like a commoner, has no holy radiance, and her hands and feet are stained with earthly dirt. The real and painful expressions of the people around the Virgin, so vivid that it was almost possible to feel them crying.
Caravaggio's youthful achievements, his innovative techniques and paintings in the image of the common people, made him a controversial figure. Coupled with his short-tempered and willful behavior, fighting, making trouble, and attacking the police, his bad reputation is known to everyone. In 1606, Caravaggio killed people over a quarrel, and in order to escape the death penalty, he left Rome and began a career of exile.
In the years of exile, the shadow of death has been chasing him. His work has also changed from the early light-dominated to the shadow of the siege, fear and sin deeply rooted in the heart, he is like a humble city dweller, eager to be forgiven and redeemed.
In 1607 he entered the church in Malta but was expelled after being disfigured. In 1609 Caravaggio returned to Naples, hoping that the Papal Court would pardon him. After some efforts, Caravaggio finally waited for the pardon, but on the journey home, the talented Caravaggio died of illness at the age of 39.