The Death of Cleopatra - Caravaggio Poster.

Caravaggio was a pioneer of Baroque painting who was active in Italy from the late 16th century to the early 17th century. His real name was Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio , and he is known by the name "Caravaggio" after the name of his hometown. His dramatic use of light and shade, thorough realism, and dramatic composition made a huge impact on the art world of his time and had a profound influence on artists of later generations.

Caravaggio's biography

• Born September 29, 1571 in Caravaggio, near Milan, Italy
• Around 1584, he entered the studio of the Milanese painter Simone Peterzano.
• Around 1592, he moved to Rome and began to focus on painting.
• In the late 1590s, he attracted attention by producing masterpieces such as "Boy with a Basket of Fruit" and "Bacchus."
• Around 1600, he achieved fame with the series "Life of St. Matthew" in the Basilica of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome.
• In 1606, he committed murder after a fight and fled Rome, moving to Naples, Malta, Sicily, and other places.
• While on the run, he created masterpieces such as "The Entombment of Christ" and "Our Lady of the Rosary."
• Died at Porto Ercole on July 18, 1610 (aged 38)

Representative works

• The Calling of St. Matthew (1599–1600)
• The Entombment of Christ (1602–1603)
• Supper at Emmaus (1601)
• Boy with a Basket of Fruit (c. 1593)
• The Fortune Teller (c. 1594)

The Art of Caravaggio

The greatest characteristic of Caravaggio's art is his dramatic composition, which utilizes the intense contrast of light and dark. This technique, known as chiaroscuro or tenebrism , was taken to its utmost limits by Caravaggio. Another important element of Caravaggio's art is his rigorous realism , portraying saints and historical figures in everyday life. These characteristics are particularly evident in his "Life of St. Matthew" series in the Basilica of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. Despite the religious subject matter, his vivid depictions, which seem to capture scenes from real life, had a profound impact on people at the time.

Caravaggio's influence and later recognition

Caravaggio's innovative art had a profound influence on subsequent Baroque art. Artists who were particularly influenced by him, known as the Caravaggesti , were active not only in Italy but throughout Europe. It is also said that great masters such as Rembrandt and Rubens learned much from Caravaggio's work. Today, Caravaggio is considered one of the most important painters in the history of Western art, a pioneer of Baroque art . Keywords such as " chiaroscuro ," " tenebrism ," " realism ," " Caravaggesti, " and " Baroque art " are essential elements for understanding Caravaggio's art. His works are housed in museums around the world and continue to fascinate many people today.