The Paintings that Made Caravaggio

The Paintings that Made Caravaggio

Caravaggio was born Michelangelo Merisi in 1571 in Lombardy most likely in Caravaggio. When he was thirteen Caravaggio was apprenticed in Milan to a painter named Simone Peterzano who was a pupil of Titian. Titian, who famous works are displayed at Capodimonte. During this time Caravaggio was able to develop his version of mannerism. In 1590 he went to Rome ready to use his practices and skills. At this time the prevailing artistic style in Italy was mannerism which refers to most sixteenth-century art.
Mannerism is recognized for its concern with developing and varying styles of Raphael, Michelangelo and other masters of the 1500’s into a style that shows everyday events as spectacular and important. An example is the Accademia of the Carracci which helped to strengthen the connection with Raphael in order to continue to reinforce a classical style that would adapt to the taste of the wealthy or those with lofty tastes. The artists that followed these ideas were called Emilian and included Domenichino, Giocanni Lanfranco, Guercino, Guido Reni, and of course Annibale Carracci. This style was widely accepted and desired in Rome.
Caravaggio’s painting style also arose as a reaction to mannerism. It was very contradictory to the mannerism as Caravaggio went in the direction of naturalism. Caravaggio was able to create a new path for other artists. It is important to note however that the influence of Raphael and Michelangelo are very visible in Caravaggio’s work and that he did not disdain or criticize the current style. Other influence on Caravaggio’s style was his training in Lombardy where he had as a model Lombard art along with late gothic art which is distinguished by a particular attention to nature. In terms of traditional techniques Caravaggio used the relation between objects and natural and artificial light and the ability of color to construct and define. The genius in his work I believe rests in his ability to master the effect of light so well that the objects in his painting appear lifelike.
Caravaggio’s works are commonly separated into four periods. The Milanese period which reflects the training of Peterzano and the influence of Savoldo, Moretto and Lotto. Next comes the first Roman years consisting of his works completed from 1592 to 1599. During this time he generally painted small pictures until he caught the attention of Francesco del Monte who bought some of his paintings and later in 1599 gave Caravaggio his first commission. This was the paintings in the Contarelli Chapel of Saint Luigi de’ Francesi. These include the Calling of Saint Matthew (which is one of my favorites), the Martyrdom of Saint Matthew, and Saint Matthew and the Angel. His third period is noted for the extravagant commissions he received from the Roman churches. This period ended abruptly due to his flight from Rome in 1606. Afterwards the last 4 years of his life were very hectic while he moved from place to place. He painted mostly for churches before dying in 1610 of malaria on his way back to Rome.
When he was just over twenty he went to Rome where he worked for Cavalier d’Arpino. There he painted primarily still life of flower and fruit. His first famous independent works are done before 1595 which include the Sick Bacchus and the Still-Life with Flowers and Fruit both of which are now at the Borghese Gallery. The Sick Bacchus is portrait he painted of himself. The first aspect that is apparent of the painting is the unmodified and objectively painted boy. His characteristics are in no way improved or altered by Caravaggio. Secondly, the fruits and leaves on the window ledge and in the boys hand show incredible realism in their surface texture. Similarly in his Youth with Flower Basket the same technique to portray texture can be seen. What I believe makes this painting even more amazing is his ability to accurately portray the gaze of the young boy. Similarly in Youth Bitten by a green Lizard, in the Longhi Collection in Florence, we see the vivid reaction of the boy. What is most interesting and beautiful about this work is the glass vase in front of the boy. The light inside the vase looks like an actually photograph accompanied by the reflection of the window inside the vase.
With these paintings Caravaggio was able to create his reputation and attract the attention of Cardinal Francesco Maria Del Monte. Del Monte had eight paintings of Caravaggio, of which five are dated from his second period which shows that he was revered at an early age by famous collectors. His Basket of Fruit which is in the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan displays his ability to paint the different textures of fresh and old fruit. Similarly in the same painting he contrasts green and browning leaves. The interpretation that I take from this painting is that life is cyclical and that nature is at different stages of life. Some of the fruit are ripe while others are only a few days away, versus those that are past their prime. Another wonderful display of texture can be seen in the Bacchus. The way the wine glass is painted with the ripples towards the sides allows me to think that the boy might have indulged a bit too much of wine that he cannot keep a steady hand.
Aside from this style of painting, in 1595 Caravaggio for the first time took on religious subjects...