😉 Greetings to readers and art lovers! In the article “Caravaggio: biography and work of the artist” – about the life and works of the great Italian painter.
Caravaggio is one of the most famous creators of the late Renaissance, he was forgotten for several centuries. Then interest in his work flared up with renewed vigor. The fate of the artist was no less interesting.
Мицхелангело Мериси
Born in the province, near Milan, young Michelangelo Merisi dreams of becoming a painter. Having entered an art workshop in Milan, he frantically mixed colors and learned the basics of art.
Merisi’s talent manifested itself early, he dreamed of conquering Rome. But Michelangelo had a big flaw, he had a disgusting character. Arrogant, rude, he constantly took part in street fights. After one of these fights, he fled Milan, dropping out of training.
Каравађо у Риму
Michelangelo found himself a refuge in Rome, where Michelangelo Buanarotti and Leonardo da Vinci were working at that time. He begins to paint one picture after another. Glory came to him pretty quickly. Taking the name Caravaggio, after the place where he was born, Michele Merisi becomes a popular artist.
Popes and cardinals commission him paintings for cathedrals and private palaces. Not only fame came, but also money. However, the notoriety was not long in coming. Seldom was a day when the name of Caravaggio was missing from the police reports.
“Sharpie”. OK. 1594, Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, USA. Between the two players, the third figure is a self-portrait of Caravaggio
He constantly participated in street fights, he was credited with creating a gang, he lost huge amounts of money at cards. He went to jail several times. And only the patronage of noble nobles contributed to his quick release. Everyone wanted to have the work of a popular artist in their palace.
Once in prison, after another fight, Caravaggio meets Giordano Bruno. They talked for a long time. Bruno had a great influence on him. After leaving prison, Michele continued to fight, go to pubs, play cards. But at the same time he managed to create magnificent works.
After a fight in which Caravaggio killed a man, the Pope outlawed Michele. This meant a death sentence. Merisi fled south to Naples. He wandered for a long time, was ill, repented. And he continued to work hard. Begged the Pope for clemency and permission to return to Rome.
Cardinal Borghese promised to help the master in exchange for all of his paintings. Michele, cornered, agreed. Having collected all his works, he goes to Rome. But on the way, he is detained by a military patrol, and a boat with paintings floats downstream.
Upon learning of the pardon, the guards release the artist, but his strength has already left him. Michelangelo Merisi died on the way to Rome. Where his grave is located is unknown. He was only 37 years old.
Creativity of Caravaggio
Despite his violent nature and rather immoral behavior, Michelangelo Merisi was incredibly talented. His work revolutionized painting. His paintings are so realistic that many experts consider this master to be the ancestor of photography.
The painter used the same techniques in his work as when photographing. Unfortunately, not a single sketch was found after the artist’s death. Even the most complex compositions, he immediately began to paint on canvas. And during a search, several huge mirrors and a glass ceiling were found in his room.
Caravaggio’s Death of Mary. 1604-1606, Louvre, Paris, France
On his canvases, he depicted Biblical subjects, but ordinary people from the streets of Rome acted as models. For his work “Death to Mary” he invited a courtesan. The ministers of the Vatican were horrified when they saw the finished painting.
Once the body of a deceased person was brought to him for work. The rest of the sitters tried to flee in horror, but drawing out a dagger, Caravaggio ordered them to stay. And he calmly continued to work. His works are stunning with their colors and vivid images.
Caravaggio became an innovator in painting and is rightfully considered one of the founders of modern art.
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In this video, additional information and paintings by the master on the topic “Caravaggio: biography and creativity”
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