Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. He is considered the first great painter of the Baroque era. Not usually my favorite time period to study, I was usually of the opinion it was "baroque" and they should have fixed it. Which they did when we transitioned to the Mannerist period. However, refusing to enjoy a good Caravaggio is not possible when studying art history. Once on the scene in Rome he never lacked commissions. Being called a reckless and a drunkard were common. He was also know for his physical brawls he liked to start. Recent historians have also made truthful remarks about the boys he used as models, most often they were his lovers. You could make the argument that he ruined it for the rest of us, started the whole "crazy artist" thing. However, a few moments or hours in front of any of his works quickly washed this away when you have revel in the mastery of his hand with a brush. My favorite being "The Calling of St. Matthew" (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Calling-of-st-matthew.jpg) Close seconds include his depictions of "Judith and Holofernes", "The Supper at Emmaus", And "David and Goliath".
I can't say that he was known for his greens.
good poem though.
~Allie
ps- this is proof I learned something over the last 4 years I guess. money well spent.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist active in Rome, Naples, Malta, and Sicily between 1593 and 1610. He is considered the first great painter of the Baroque era. Not usually my favorite time period to study, I was usually of the opinion it was "baroque" and they should have fixed it. Which they did when we transitioned to the Mannerist period. However, refusing to enjoy a good Caravaggio is not possible when studying art history. Once on the scene in Rome he never lacked commissions. Being called a reckless and a drunkard were common. He was also know for his physical brawls he liked to start. Recent historians have also made truthful remarks about the boys he used as models, most often they were his lovers. You could make the argument that he ruined it for the rest of us, started the whole "crazy artist" thing. However, a few moments or hours in front of any of his works quickly washed this away when you have revel in the mastery of his hand with a brush. My favorite being "The Calling of St. Matthew" (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Calling-of-st-matthew.jpg) Close seconds include his depictions of "Judith and Holofernes", "The Supper at Emmaus", And "David and Goliath".
ReplyDeleteI can't say that he was known for his greens.
good poem though.
~Allie
ps- this is proof I learned something over the last 4 years I guess. money well spent.