Art in any form, from all periods brings enjoyment to those who visit museums. Artists’ who have created these masterpieces are memorable for their artistic abilities alone, while their personal lives for the most part have remained obscure. The sprinklings of private and personal information gathered about an artist only serves to tantalize us further. Most artists have chosen to represent drama through creativity, not by first hand experiences. Caravaggio was an exception for he broke all rules of the established polite society while establishing himself as Master Painter.

Caravaggio (1571-1610) was considered a Grand Master of the Late Renaissance. He revolutionized Italian Art so much so that the techniques and symbolism he began during his short painting career transformed into the Baroque Movement. After his death his paintings had a profound and far reaching effect on future generations of artists, especially the Dutch Master, Rembrandt.

The drama he was living during his lifetime far out shown his skills as a painter. Caravaggio lived on the fringes of acceptable society. As a fashion statement he wore a sword strapped to his hip, with full knowledge that by wearing it laws were being broken. His arrogance, belligerence and swagger soon led him to commit murder. Consequently, because the artists’ personal life was so violently outrageous it went far beyond anything that he could ever paint, no matter how much contrast was between the painted lights and darks.

Throughout the drama and atrocious behavior Caravaggio received commissions. Two basic concepts easily identify the artists’ painting signature. First, his realistic style rejected the accepted idealized format that was prevalent during the High Renaissance. For, the artist was not above rendering various Saints disheveled with dirty legs and ripped robes, while young boys representing angels were positioned suggestively throughout the composition. It is safe to say that these compositions and representations were highly disapproved of by the Church. The first of a series of three commissioned paintings, Saint Matthew and the Angel was rejected for the specific reasons mentioned above. Second, Caravaggio masterfully juxtaposed lightest of lights and darkest of darks; thus, creating powerful emotional dramas. The painting Supper at Emmaus is an excellent example of one such staged theatrical composition.

,p>His arrests are public records and tell of his repeated incarcerations. Offensives vary from cutting the cloak of an enemy, abusing both waiters and police. In 1606 an argument he had over a woman ended poorly for his rival. After killing the young man, he escaped Rome, having little doubt that he would be granted a pardon by the Pope and with full knowledge that he would not be able to return unless he received it.

In 1610 at the age of thirty-seven while still in exile and on yet another adventure, Caravaggio caught malaria in Port’Ercole. He died alone, without family, friends or the long overdue pardon. However, Caravaggio is remembered equally as well for engaging in a hard living, belligerent lifestyle and his memorable theatrical painted compositions that ushered in the Baroque Movement.

The Art Historian 2009