Artist profile

Caravaggio

1571–1610 • Milan, Italy

Portrait of Caravaggio
Portrait source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
Detail from a portrait of Caravaggio
Detail crop from the same portrait.

A revolutionary realist who used dramatic light to make sacred scenes feel immediate.

Life and context

A revolutionary realist who used dramatic light to make sacred scenes feel immediate.

Style and intention

Chiaroscuro, theatrical staging, and gritty realism.

Contributions and techniques

Redefined religious painting with intense realism and dramatic light.

High-contrast lighting, direct observation, and diagonal compositions.

Key works in Explainary

Associated movements