15 heartfelt works by Caravaggio, looking at which makes you uncomfortable

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Most of Caravaggio's paintings centered around the cycle of torture, immense struggle, and death. Artists such as Ruben, Rembrandt, José de Ribera and Gian Lorenzo Bernini were heavily influenced by his work and called themselves the Caravaggists. And as regrettable as it may sound, Michelangelo had a traumatic personal life, in addition to all this, he was sentenced to death on a murder charge, for which he was forced to flee Naples. And despite the fact that the great artist died in 1610, to this day there is an opinion and there is controversy regarding his death, and some suggest that it was a murder.

1. Unbelief of the Apostle Thomas, 1601-1602

And in this work, the artist used the technique of chiaroscuro, where the ideal interaction of dark and light shades is clearly visible. Christ firmly holds the right hand of Saint Thomas, guiding his index finger through the wound inflicted on him. Along with Saint Thomas, the portrait depicts two more apostles, who are presented in a rustic manner. Christ is presented as an ordinary person, not a divine being, since he is not surrounded by a halo.

2. Crucifixion of Saint Peter, 1600

The painting depicts Saint Peter, half nailed to the cross, upside down, since he did not want to represent a rival to Christ the Savior. There is a sense of serenity around this work, as the victim's face is devoid of pain or tension, instead he seems to accept his martyrdom with open arms, which contrasts with the mood of the executioners who are struggling to complete their task with efficiency. There is no spectator who witnesses the crucifixion, which therefore turns him into a personal crisis and not into a historical event.

3. Kiss of Judas, 1602

This depicts the arrest of Christ. Besides Jesus, other figures present include John, the three soldiers, Judas, and a man with a lantern in his hand. The figures were placed against a dark background with the only light source being a lantern. In addition to the black-and-white arrangement of lighting, lifelike representation of figures, dramatic performance and spiritual dimension take it to a completely different level, making the picture incredibly soulful and realistic.

4. Lute player, 1596

There are two versions of this painting, the first of which is in the Wildenstein collection, and the second in the Hermitage. As it turned out, there is a third option, spotted in 2007 at the Gloucestershire Badminton House. In all three versions, a dark-haired boy with gentle features is seen with a lute in his hand, absorbed in a love song. Those at Badminton House and the Hermitage show a table without a tablecloth with flowers and fruits on one side and a violin on the other. In the Wildenstein collection, the tablecloth covers the table, while the spinetta replaces the still life, and the songbird, which is in the cage, is also visible in the frame.

5. Writing Saint Jerome, 1605-1606

Caravaggio wrote this work by order of Cardinal Scipio Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V. The aging saint is engrossed in Scripture as he reaches out his thin arms to one end of the table, while a skull "watches" him, which in turn is a reminder of the powers deaths that he cannot avoid, but struggles to overcome. The painting was stolen in 1986 and recovered two years later.

6. The Sacrifice of Isaac, 1603

Two paintings between 1598 and 1603 are said to have the same title. Although attributed to Caravaggio, there is speculation that it is the work of Bartolomeo Cavarozzi, his follower. This depicts the moment when Abraham is on the verge of sacrificing his son after fulfilling a divine command.

7. Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence, 1600

It is said that Fabio Nuti commissioned this painting in 1600 during his stay in Palermo. The picture captures the very moment where the Christ child lies on the ground, and the Madonna sits next to him. The characters around her maintain a normal posture and an elegant appearance. This painting has been processed very precisely and the finish is more polished compared to most of Caravaggio's other paintings. This masterpiece was stolen in 1969 and has not yet been found.

8. Rest on the way to Egypt, 1597

This piece of art revolves around the resting of baby Jesus with Joseph and Mary as they all prepare to travel to Egypt. Caravaggio fully captures the scene depicting mother Maria sleeping with her child, while Joseph sees the manuscript for an angel to play a hymn. This was the first work of the artist, executed on a large scale, where he managed to get out of his passion for painting in dark spaces. The angle creates a sensual and luminous aura, while the representation of mother and child seems to be executed very subtly.

9. Burial of Saint Lucia, 1608

Caravaggio made this painting keeping Saint Lucia, the famous Christian martyr, as the main subject. He wrote it in 1608 after escaping from prison and in this he was helped by Mario Minniti.

10. Still life with fruit, 1601–1605

There is a wicker basket filled with vegetables and fruits on a stone table. The perfect interplay of light and darkness makes this piece incredibly deep and attractive.

11. Denial (renunciation) of St. Peter, 1610

This work presented the biblical theme of Peter denying Christ after the latter was arrested. It is said to be one of his last two works, possibly completed in the summer of 1610. Caravaggio is said to have experienced many personal upheavals at the time, and the unfocused nature of this work bears witness to the same. The figures are tightly arranged, while large areas are left in the dark, so for the most part, the physical essence of the characters is hidden.

12. Resurrection, 1619

Caravaggio uses deep shadows and strong lighting to vividly portray the intense drama surrounding the Resurrection of Christ. The view is very complex as all the bodies are twisted and placed against a dark background. The overall balance was beautifully created by mixing bright colors with soft, muted tones.

13. Madonna and Child with Saint Anne, 1619-20

This is one of the later religious works of Caravaggio, which, however, was not as successful as his other paintings. The Virgin Mary takes center stage with her baby son and steps on a snake that represents sinfulness and evil deeds. Jesus is unclothed and also barefoot, like his mother. An old, wrinkled grandmother watching all this spectacle is also present on the stage. These figures are projected into the light while the entire canvas is in darkness. The clergy considered this work indecent, having removed it from St. Peter's Basilica exactly two days after its exhibition.

14. Seven Acts of Mercy, 1607

This work, also known as the Seven Acts of Mercy, is a reflection of the seven practices of mercy followed by Christian norms. The artist again resorts to using the technique of chiaroscuro, creating a sharp contrast in everything. According to Ralph van Buuren, a German-born art historian, the bright light metaphorically represents mercy, helping viewers to incorporate it into their lifestyle.

15. Crowning with thorns, 1607

The painting depicts a crown of thorns, forcibly put on the head of Jesus just before his crucifixion, in order to laugh at his claims to power. The body of Christ was presented in a twisted form, a technique for which Caravaggio took inspiration from the Belvedere Torso, a marble statue.

Other famous paintings by Caravaggio include The Adoration of the Shepherds (1609), The Resurrection of Lazarus (1609), and The Flagellation of Christ (1607).

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