Caravaggio

Caravaggio, born Michelangelo Merisi in 1571 in Milan, Italy, was a revolutionary Baroque artist who reshaped the art world with his intense realism and dramatic use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro. Living a tumultuous life filled with controversy, Caravaggio's works often drew from personal struggles and depicted religious themes with gritty, unidealized human emotion. His paintings brought a visceral realism to biblical and mythological scenes, emphasizing ordinary people as models, giving a raw and sometimes unsettling edge to traditional subjects. Through his art, Caravaggio sought to convey the humanity within sacred narratives, breaking away from the idealized figures of the Renaissance. His notable works, such as The Calling of Saint Matthew and Judith Beheading Holofernes, reveal an artist dedicated to capturing the complexity of human nature. Caravaggio's influence remains profound, inspiring countless artists with his dramatic and emotive style. He died in 1610 under mysterious circumstances.