Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was a notorious Italian Baroque artist known for his dramatic use of color, light, and shadow, as well as his boundary-breaking naturalism. This book showcases more than 50 of his most famous and revolutionary works, exploring why he is considered the most important painter of the early Baroque period and one of the defining influences of art history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2020
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610) was a notorious figure in the Italian Baroque, known for his controversial and divisive nature. He was celebrated for his artistic brilliance, technical precision, and creative mastery, while also being a fugitive on the run. Despite his reputation for dramatic use of color, light, and shadow, it was his groundbreaking naturalism that truly set him apart. Caravaggio's paintings depicted sacred and biblical scenes with a startling, often visceral realism, challenging the traditional conventions of art. From the dirtied soles of feet to the sexualized languor of bare flesh, he portrayed the human condition with a raw and unflinching honesty.

Caravaggio's personal life was equally tumultuous, marked by gambling, debt, drunken brawls, and even a murder charge. This book showcases over 50 of his most famous and revolutionary works, exploring the reasons behind his current status as one of the most important painters of the early Baroque period and a defining influence on art history. Without Caravaggio, artists such as Ribera, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Delacroix, Courbet, and Manet would have approached their art in entirely different ways.

Caravaggio's impact on the art world cannot be overstated. His bold use of color, light, and shadow, combined with his realistic portrayal of the human condition, revolutionized the way artists approached their craft. His works continue to inspire and influence artists today, and his legacy as a creative master and a man on the run remains a fascinating and enduring part of art history.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 264 x 217 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836559935