14 realistic paintings by Caravaggio that gave goosebumps (part 1)

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

Michelangelo Caravaggio is an Italian painter who became famous for his work between the 1590s and 1610s. He played a significant role in the inspiration of Baroque painting and his works of art significantly depicted the physical as well as the emotional state of a person. The legendary painter used the technique of chiaroscuro, marked by the fabulous interaction of light and darkness, which was called tenebrism.

1. The calling of the apostle Matthew

This is one of Caravaggio's masterpieces, featuring the theme of Jesus inspiring Matthew to follow in his footsteps. Thanks to the presentation of this painting, the artist managed to capture the immortal and mundane worlds in one frame. The work was written for the Contarelli Chapel or the Contarelli Chapel and currently hangs next to the Martyrdom of St. Matthew.

2. Bacchus, 1595

The famous oil painting depicting the sensual image of a young boy dressed as Bacchus, lying in a headdress of grape leaves and grapes, reclining in a unique position, fiddling with his dress. Before him lay fruit and red wine, and in his hand he held a goblet, possibly inviting his spectators to take part in the celebration. There may be traces of homoeroticism in the image, and, as many critics claim, and with them art historians, Caravaggio could express his own romantic feelings through this image. In addition to all this, there are rumors that the artist himself is the model.

3. Medusa, 1595-1598

Two versions of this painting were created in 1596 and 1597, where the moment of the execution of Medusa by Perseus was put forward. The painting has terrible appeal as Caravaggio designs Medusa's headless head and poses his own face to capture all the emotions of a female monster. A terrible and strange look on the face emphasizes the artist's fascination with realism and violence. Rumor has it that Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte himself commissioned the artist to paint this painting, which he intended to present to Ferdinando I de Medici, Duke of Tuscany. The tenebrism technique, which includes a subtle contrast of dark and light along with a realistic approach, gives the painting a three-dimensional appeal, making it truly terrifyingly beautiful and frighteningly attractive.

4. Conversion of St. Paul, 1600

This work, together with another painting, namely the crucifixion of Saint Peter, was commissioned by Tiberio Serazi, who ultimately rejected both works in the first case. And despite the fact that the paintings did not gain approval, their second versions were soon made, which are currently in the Cerasi chapel. This work records the event when the Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus) went to Damascus to destroy the Christian community, but changed his mission after seeing Christ. Irregular shapes and incoherent lighting patterns create an aura of crisis, fully reflecting the atmosphere created by the artist.

5. Narcissus, 1597-1599

"Narcissus" - a popular theme in classical mythology centered around a handsome youth who falls in love with his own reflection and dies after being overwhelmed with passion and obsession - was clearly represented by Caravaggio. Here you can see how the young page gazes passionately at his own image, distorted and broken. Here, the concept of tenebrism is realized in all its glory, where the artist sharply contrasts between light and dark spaces, giving some details and elements incredible depth. In addition, the darkness reigning around the central character adds a sense of melancholy, evoking melancholy and a state of unreasonable anxiety.

6. Beheading of John the Baptist, 1608

Another masterpiece by Caravaggio and a significant work in the world of Western painting, where the main theme is the execution of John the Baptist. While the victim occupies the mainframe, Salome is also present next to him with a golden dish in his hand to receive the head. As it turned out, in addition to Salome, there is another witness of this terrible incident. The image has empty space, although due to the large area of the canvas, the characters are depicted at life size. The contrast between light and dark, in addition to the use of red and yellow, gives a vibrant and realistic look to the entire piece of art.

7. Fruit basket, 1596

Perhaps this is one of the artist's most picturesque still lifes, which depicts a wicker basket filled with summer fruits, standing at the edge of a ledge. Caravaggio deliberately presents details so intricately that a wormy apple, a dried leaf and dusty grapes immediately catch the eye, focusing on them.

8. David and Goliath, 1599

Shown here is one of Caravaggio's early paintings - the biblical theme of David and Goliath. David, the youth, apparently grabbed Goliath by the hair. The interplay between light and darkness has been fabulously depicted here. Just look at how the artist masterfully created contrast, highlighting David's legs, shoulders and arms with bright highlights, while darkness prevails throughout. Initially, the picture was overloaded with melodrama, where the terrifying and panicked face of Goliath was projected. He changed this later, focusing on David, whose face was hidden in the dark.

9. Position in Christ, 1603-1604

This is one of the finest altarpieces by Caravaggio made for the chapel at Chiesa Nuova. A group of six is visible in the shot with John the Evangelist holding the upper half of the body of Christ. And Saint Nicodemus, who pulled the nails out of his feet, supports the lower part of the body of Christ. The form and movement in the picture are diagonal, and its realism arouses genuine interest in the viewer. On the lower left side is a plant called mullein, which was said to have healing properties and also protect against evil spirits, thus symbolizing victory over death and the Resurrection. This work of art served as inspiration for Rubens, Gericault, Cézanne and Fragonard.

10. Supper at Emmaus, 1601

Another fascinating painting by Caravaggio centers around the time when, after the Resurrection, Jesus becomes visible to his disciples Cleopas and Luke, in Emmaus (the city referred to in the New Testament), but disappears from their place in no time. Life-size characters against a dark background create an unusual aura.

11. David with the head of Goliath, 1607

The artist gives this work a realistic touch by depicting the head of Goliath hanging from David's hand, with blood dripping all over the place.

12. Judith and Holofernes, 1598-99

This work sheds light on the biblical event of Judith, a young, charming widow who beheaded the Assyrian general Holofernes by deception. The model in the role of Judith is considered Phyllida Melandroni, who even posed for most of Caravaggio's other works. It is rumored that the artist made a second version of this painting, which was discovered in 2014 in Toulouse, although its authenticity is still in question.

13. The Fortune Teller, 1594

There are two versions of this painting, made in 1594 and 1595, respectively, although the dates have been disputed in both cases. A poorly dressed boy occupies the center frame, along with a gypsy girl who reads his palm. There is a sense of pleasure when both of them look each other in the face. Upon closer examination of the picture, it was noticed that the girl slyly removes the ring from the boy, gently stroking his hand. Giovanni Petro Bellori, who wrote the biography of Caravaggio, mentions that the female model is a passer-by whom the artist chose to preserve originality in his work, rather than draw inspiration from his master.

14. Musicians, 1595

Paintings of musicians at work seemed to be a popular topic at a time when the Church began to encourage a revival in the field of music. The group is said to have been the most complex and ambitious of Caravaggio's works so far, as it was difficult for him to clearly visualize the four figures, which gave it an awkward effect. Currently, the painting is in a deplorable state, although its originality has been preserved.

Continuing the topic, read also about why and why this painting is compared to the legendary "La Gioconda" by da Vinci.