Biography of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Biography and paintings of Michelangelo Caravaggio Luigi Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (09.29.1571 - 07.18.1610) - a great Italian artist. Considered one of the greatest artists of the 17th century. Through the contrast of light and shadow, he achieved vivid emotional tension, an explosion of feelings, which was later called Caravaggism. The artist worked in religious, mythological and genre genres.

Caravaggio's fate was truly difficult. He studied at an art school in Milan. In 1606, after a terrible quarrel and subsequent duel, he killed his opponent and was forced to flee to Naples. After this, the artist moved even further - to the island of Malta. But here, too, adventures and failures awaited him.

In Malta, Caravaggio quarreled with a powerful nobleman and fled from prison to Sicily. The nobleman, who could not forgive the insult, sent hired killers for the artist. Caravaggio hid from them for a long time in different cities of Sicily and Italy. He went to Rome for patronage and forgiveness, but never got there and died of a fever in the town of Porto d'Ercole. He never had time to find out that the Pope had forgiven all his crimes and pardoned him.

Probably, such a dramatic life contributed a lot to his pronounced, expressive painting. True, even cruel paintings depicting murders and betrayals convey to us the artist’s restless state and frequent experiences.

He opposed the established laws of art schools, and was a true innovator of his time. The characters in his paintings, flooded with light and clear, deep shadows, amaze with their monumentality, plasticity and expressiveness. His characters are so natural that it seems that now they will leave the canvas and turn out to be real people.

Caravaggio's paintings had a huge influence on the culture and art of future generations of artists. His style was adopted by such famous artists as Jordaens, Zurbaran, and Rembrandt.

Caravaggio paintings

David with Goliath's head John the Baptist Jellyfish
Musicians
Martyrdom of Saint Matthew
Unbelief of the Apostle Thomas
Rest on the way to Egypt
Saint Jerome writing
Kiss of Judas
The Calling of the Apostle Matthew Crucifixion of Saint Peter Saint Matthew and the angel
Dinner at Emmaus

For some time in his biography, Caravaggio studied in Milan. Then in 1592 Michelangelo came to Rome, and over time Cardinal Francisco del Monte became his patron. For him, Caravaggio created several paintings, including “Concert of Youths” (Metropolitan Museum).

Some of the artist's genre works, such as Fortune Teller (Louvre), were created during his stay in Rome. However, after completing "Calling of St. Matthew", "Martyrdom of St. Matthew" (1598 - 1599, Rome) Caravaggio devoted himself only to works with religious themes, as well as portraits.

His harsh character and changeable mood involved him in several noisy quarrels. And in 1606, in the biography of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, the move from Rome took place after the murder of a young man in a duel. He spent the next five years in Naples, Malta, Syracuse, Messina.

The revolutionary artist was accused of copying nature. In religious themes, his use of the lower wanderings of life was considered disrespectful. Caravaggio's strong chiaroscuro technique of partially illuminated figures against a dark background was adopted by his contemporaries. Despite the fact that the artist had no students, his contribution to the development of art is enormous.

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The outstanding Italian artist Caravaggio (1571-1610) is known not only for being the founder of realism in painting. The fact is that at sunset it arose, the most prominent representative of which was Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (not to be confused with).

Portrait of Caravaggio by Ottavio Leoni, 1621

If you like interesting facts, then a brief description of the life of a brilliant master with his incredible adventures will definitely bring you pleasure.

It must be said right away that Caravaggio’s paintings truly impress even those who are not good at art. The fact is that the artist used the “chiaroscuro” technique, which consists of a sharp contrast of light and shadow. It was through this technique that the maestro emphasized the emotions and experiences of his characters in a special way.

An interesting fact is that Caravaggio, during his short life (he lived only 38 years), did not leave a single drawing or sketch. In other words, he realized all his ideas, even the most complex ones, immediately on canvas, without any preliminary stages.

Born in the small Italian town of Caravaggio, which is located near, Michelangelo Merisi at the age of 13 goes to Peterzano's workshop. There he became acquainted with the art of painting, and by the age of 20, the young artist Caravaggio showed great promise.

However, his extremely harsh and hot-tempered nature prevents him from building a career. Constant scandals, fights and imprisonments accompanied him throughout his life. From Milan he was forced to urgently leave for Rome after a card game ended in scandal and murder.

Life in Rome

A very noteworthy observation here is that of the Italian priest Borromeo, who, having met Caravaggio, described him as follows:

“An uncouth and rude man, always wandering the streets and sleeping wherever he can, he draws vagabonds, beggars and drunkards, and seems to be a completely happy person.”

Caravaggio's first works were made under the noticeable influence of and. An interesting fact is that it was in Rome that Michelangelo Merisi received the nickname “Caravaggio” after the name of the city in which he was born. Since then, in art he has been known by this name.

After another fight, Caravaggio again ends up in prison, where he meets with Giordano Bruno. In 1593, for several months he was on the verge of life and death, as he became seriously ill with Roman fever (malaria). During the recovery stage, he painted his first self-portrait. The painting is called “Sick Bacchus”.

Most of all, his paintings on biblical subjects brought him fame. It is not clear how Caravaggio managed to combine them with a wild life and constant scandals. He indiscriminately attacked with a sword anyone who spoke ill of his works of art.

Flight from Rome

In 1606, the maestro was declared outlaw by Pope Paul V (his portrait is below). This meant that anyone could not only kill him, but also receive a reward for it. Of course, dad had reasons for such a serious decision.

It so happened that during the ball game a fight broke out between the two companies. One was led by Caravaggio, and the other by Ranuccio Tomassoni. Ultimately, Ranuccio Tomassoni was killed and the artist was accused of the crime.

Having gone on the run, he hides in the Colonna estate, where he paints the gloomy paintings “St. Francis in Thought” and “Supper at Emmaus.”

After that, he moves to Naples, and a year later - to. But then he again finds himself involved in some kind of scandal, and again ends up in prison. He was put in a so-called stone bag, but he somehow managed to escape from there.

In 1608, Caravaggio sailed to Sicily to the city of Syracuse. Moving around Sicilian cities, he painted his famous paintings.

Death and pardon

After several years, Cardinal Gonzaga begins to negotiate with Pope Paul V to pardon Caravaggio. Hoping for a positive decision, the artist plans to secretly move closer to Rome.

However, sailing from Naples, he disappears, and nothing is known about his further fate. There is only information, which not all historians trust, that he was allegedly detained in the Palo fortress, and then went on foot to Porto Ercole.

It was there that on July 18, for unknown reasons, the master died at the age of 38. And on July 31, a decree pardoning Caravaggio was published. In parallel with it, a message about the artist’s death was also published.

As we have already said, Caravaggio had a tremendous influence on art in general, and on the work of many outstanding artists in particular. However, his violent and incredibly hot-tempered character became the talk of the town.

Eyewitnesses say that when he painted the painting “The Raising of Lazarus,” he needed real images. Being a fan of his work, he ordered that a recently killed man, who had been dug out of his grave, be brought into the workshop.

Two hired sitters flatly refused to pose with the corpse, which had begun to decompose. Without thinking twice, Caravaggio pulled out a dagger and forced them to submit to his own will.

Paintings by Caravaggio

Below are the most famous paintings by Caravaggio. Pay attention to their amazing realism, stunning play of light and shadow, as well as accuracy in conveying the slightest emotions. It seems that the heroes of the plots live their lives, and only froze for a moment.

The phenomenal creativity of the genius, which upended generally accepted ideas about painting, radically influenced the entire course of development of fine art not only in Italy, but throughout Europe. An outspoken rebel and tireless rebel, exceptional talent and a real genius - all this is about Caravaggio, a great artist and experimenter who became a reformer of European painting and, overnight, one of the most scandalous artists of all time.

Caravaggio. Self-portrait

Biography of Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi, as the artist's real name sounds, was born on September 29, 1571 in the family of a wealthy and quite famous in his time architect Fermo Merisi in Milan. The date of birth is inaccurate as no documents have been found to that effect. Only the baptismal record, dated September 30, has survived, which says: “On the 30th, Michelangelo, son of Fermo Merisi and Lucia de Oratoribus, was baptized.” On September 29, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of the Archangel Michael and, apparently, that is why this day is considered the artist’s birthday. Michelangelo had a younger sister named Caterina and two brothers, one of whom later became a clergyman.

In 1577, during another outbreak of plague, the family, fleeing, was forced to leave for the hometown of Fermo and Lucia, in Caravaggio, located near Milan. However, this monstrous disease still managed to overtake the Merisi family, claiming the lives of Michelangelo’s father, grandfather and grandmother.

After the end of the epidemic, in 1584 Caravaggio returned to Milan and began learning the basics of painting in the workshop of Simone Peterzano, a student of the famous Titian. Here he not only learned the intricacies of the Lombard school, but also gained his first experience. Unfortunately, Merisi's early works, written in Milan, have not survived to this day.

Paintings by Caravaggio in Palazzo Barberini

In 1592, shortly after the death of his mother, Michelangelo, having sold the property of his parents and dividing the proceeds with his brothers, went to Rome. Although the first documentary evidence of Merisi’s presence in Rome dates back to 1596, this does not exclude the possibility that the artist arrived in the Eternal City much earlier. Perhaps the young man, prone to riotous living, simply enjoyed a comfortable existence with the money received after the sale of his inheritance. And when the latter ran out, he had to look for work. So, in 1996 he ended up in the workshop of the Sicilian artist Lorenzo Carli.

A young man with a basket of fruit. Caravaggio. 1593-1594

However, one of the biographers, Giovanni Pietro Bellori, states in his notes that Michelangelo Merisi, before arriving in Rome, traveled to Venice with Peterzano, where he gained experience of the famous Venetian school. To date, no documentary evidence of Caravaggio’s stay in Venice during this period has been found, as well as references in the works of other biographers. And the influence of the Venetian school of painting on the formation of Caravaggio’s style could have occurred without his trip to the Most Serene Republic.

Caravaggio in Rome

In one of the artist’s biographies it is mentioned that since 1594 Merisi lived with his friend Pandolfo Pucci, thanks to whom he received his nickname - Monsignor Insalata, in honor of the salad (in Italian). insalata), which was the only food item in Michelangelo's diet. This is confirmed by the fact that already in 1994 Merisi was left completely without money and without a roof over his head.

In Rome, Caravaggio worked with such artists as Lorenzo Carli, mentioned above, Antiveduto Gramatica, with whom the creative relationship was very fleeting, and, ultimately, with Giuseppe Cesari, in whose workshop Merisi spent several months. During this period, Caravaggio helped paint one of the chapels in the Basilica of San Prassede. The relationship with Cesari was interrupted after Caravaggio's sudden illness and hospitalization.

In 1597, thanks to Prospero Orsi, a close friend of the artist, Michelangelo Merisi was noticed by Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monti, a famous cultural figure and passionate admirer of the arts. He not only appreciated the talent of the young master and purchased some of his works for his collection, but also took Caravaggio into his service. From that moment on, the fame of the Lombard artist began to grow inexorably in the circles of the Roman nobility. His works, executed in a completely new, unprecedented style, became the subject of lively discussions. This period is also a turning point in Caravaggio’s work: multi-figure compositions began to appear on his canvases. One of the first works of this period was the painting “Rest on the Flight to Egypt.”

Rest on the way to Egypt. Caravaggio. 1596-1597

In just a few years, the fame of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio reached incredible heights, turning the artist into a living legend. Thanks to Cardinal del Monti, Caravaggio received a large public commission to paint canvases dedicated to the life of St. Matthew for the Contarelli Chapel in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi. The artist completed these works in less than a year.

Paintings by Caravaggio in the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi

After this, the master began painting paintings for: “The Crucifixion of St. Peter” and “The Conversion of the Apostle Paul” commissioned by Monsignor Tiberio Cerasi for his own family chapel.

Crucifixion of St. Petra. Caravaggio. 1601

Conversion of Saul. Caravaggio. 1601

Provocateur and genius Caravaggio

Caravaggio's popularity did not stop growing, just as conversations about him did not stop. His work was admired just as much as it was condemned, and Merisi continued to create his scandalous works and provoke society.

Salome with the head of John the Baptist. Caravaggio. 1607

The artist's hot temper, addiction to gambling and noisy parties continued to destroy his life, and even multiple arrests could not tame the rebellious nature of the genius.

Giovanni Pietro Bellori, one of the artist’s first biographers, more than once describes cases of Caravaggio’s participation in mass brawls. During one of these clashes, which occurred back in Milan, a young man died. All suspicions fell on the inveterate rebel Merisi, who had to urgently flee the city in order to avoid arrest. So the genius ended up in Rome, but this incident did not become a lesson for him.

The complex character of the artist has more than once led to sad consequences. Caravaggio was arrested many times due to his outrageous behavior, participation in fights and destruction, illegal carrying of weapons, etc. And one day Michelangelo was brought to trial because, together with his friends, he wrote and distributed offensive poems around the city addressed to another artist Giovanni Baglione. In 1605, Merisi was forced to flee Rome to Genoa for several weeks because he stabbed a famous notary with whom he had quarreled over his beloved. Caravaggio was often saved from arrest and imprisonment by famous statesmen and influential friends. They say that the French ambassador came to his aid more than once. But this did not always continue.

Holy Family with John the Baptist. Caravaggio. Around 1603

On May 28, 1606, during a ball game on the Champs de Mars, Caravaggio clashed with Mariano Pasculone. No one ever found out the exact cause of the fight. Some said that a woman came between them, others said that the cause was political differences. But be that as it may, as a result, Merisi was seriously wounded and his opponent was killed. Despite the fact that Michelangelo managed to escape from the scene of the crime, the trial in this case still took place, even without the participation of the accused.

Filippo I Colonna. Engraving.

This time the court verdict was very cruel: Caravaggio was sentenced to beheading. Now it was not safe for Merisi to go out into the street - the sentence could be carried out by anyone who identified the culprit. Perhaps Caravaggio was just lucky, because this time they came to his aid. Filippo I Colonna. A representative of a noble Roman family not only helped the artist escape from Rome, but also provided the prosecution with a series of evidence of Michelangelo’s innocence, persuading his numerous relatives to become witnesses. A few months later, Colonna sent Caravaggio to Naples to stay with his relatives, where he stayed for almost a whole year. During this time, the master managed to create many works, including:

• “The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist” (1607), currently kept in a private collection;
• “Salome with the Head of John the Baptist” (1607), located in the collections of the National Gallery in London;
• “Madonna of the Rosary,” commissioned by the Carafa-Colonna family, is one of the most significant works of this period.

Madonna of the Rosary. Caravaggio. 1607

After Naples, Caravaggio, remaining under the protection of Colonna, went to Malta. Here Merisi met the great teacher of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (Order of Malta) and a year later, in July 1608, after undergoing special training, he was ordained a knight. Life seemed to be getting better, but the artist’s bad character made itself felt here too. After a serious quarrel with a cavalier of the order, who was of a higher rank, it became clear that Merisi was involved in a murder in Rome. As a result, he was arrested. But even here Caravaggio was lucky. He managed to escape from prison and without problems get to Sicily, where for some time he stayed with his longtime friend.

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The last years of Caravaggio's life

Soon after this, Caravaggio returned to Naples, where in the summer of 1609 unknown assailants attacked him, trying to kill him. The attempt, fortunately, was unsuccessful, but rumors of his death had already spread throughout the city. Here in Naples, Merisi lived with the Marchioness Constance Colonna for almost a year, until news came from Rome that Pope Paul V was preparing a document for his pardon.

Pope Paul V. Caravaggio. Date unknown

In July 1610, Caravaggio traveled to Rome on a small ship that made periodic trips between Naples and Porto Ercole (Tuscany). This flight did not include a call at the port of Ladispoli, where Caravaggio was supposed to disembark, however, according to certain agreements, the artist’s trip was supposed to take place this way. Unforeseen circumstances prevented the ship from mooring at this destination, and Merisi had to leave the ship without luggage. Everything would not be so sad if the maestro’s chests did not contain a rather valuable cargo - written agreements with Cardinal Scipione Borghese to pardon Caravaggio in exchange for some of his paintings. Meanwhile, the ship continued on its way. Here they again came to the aid of the famous artist and helped him arrive in Porto Ercole as quickly as possible in order to pick up what he needed. But no matter how hard he tried, the ship had already set off in the opposite direction and now it would be possible to pick up the treasured document only by returning to Naples.

Exhausted by a sudden illness, Caravaggio remained in Porto Ercole, where they tried in vain to get him back on his feet. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio died on July 18, 1610, presumably from an intestinal infection.

The death of Caravaggio, in fact, is shrouded in mystery and there is still no consensus on the real cause of the death of the great artist. One of the modern researchers of the life and work of Michelangelo Merisi, referring to archival documents of the Vatican, stated that the last refuge of the great artist was Ladispoli, and he died not from some kind of infection, but at the hands of the Knights of the Order of Malta.

Caravaggio Michelangelo Merisi da (1573-1610), Italian artist.

Born on September 28, 1573 in the town of Caravaggio in Lombardy (Northern Italy). He received his artistic education in Milan. He moved to Rome around 1590. During the first years of his life here, he earned money by painting flowers and fruits in the paintings of other artists. Then he began to independently create genre works and still lifes.

The main thing in Caravaggio’s works is the characteristic types of people. The painter asserted the superiority of direct reproduction of the surrounding world, the simplicity and naturalness of the everyday (“Girl with a Lute”, 1595). He often chose religious themes.

The amazing concreteness and materiality of forms, the bold interpretation of biblical characters, which the artist endowed with similarities with the common people - all this brought him scandalous fame. Caravaggio often interpreted religious subjects as genre scenes (“The Calling of Matthew,” 1597-1601; “The Conversion of Paul,” 1601; “The Unbelief of Thomas,” 1603). The saints and great martyrs in his paintings are strong, full-blooded people. Caravaggio knew the life of the people very well and made them the hero of his works.

From painting to painting, the drama of perception intensifies, a greater tendency toward monumentality appears, and the tragic power of the images increases (“Entombment,” 1604; “Assumption of Mary,” 1605-1606, etc.).

Caravaggio's harsh realism was not understood by his contemporaries and provoked attacks from the clergy and officials. But the artist remained faithful to his convictions, internal independence, and perseverance in achieving his goals all his life. A man of violent temperament, he aggravated his situation with his temper. After killing his opponent in a ball game, Caravaggio fled Rome.

The last years of his life were spent in wanderings. He died on July 8, 1610 in Port Ercole (Grand Duchy of Tuscany, now in Central Italy).

Caravaggio was the largest representative of the realistic movement in Italian art of the 17th century, who had a huge impact on the development of all realistic painting in Europe