Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, an Italian painter born on September 29, 1571, in Milan, is renowned for his significant contributions to the Baroque art movement. Caravaggio's innovative use of chiaroscuro, the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, profoundly influenced the development of Baroque painting. His works, such as "The Calling of Saint Matthew" and "Judith Beheading Holofernes," are celebrated for their realistic observation of the human condition and emotional intensity. Despite his artistic success, Caravaggio's life was tumultuous, marked by frequent run-ins with the law and a notorious temper, culminating in his exile from Rome after a fatal brawl in 1606. He spent his later years in Naples, Malta, and Sicily, continuing to produce influential works until his death on July 18, 1610, under mysterious circumstances. Caravaggio's legacy endures through his profound impact on the trajectory of Western art, inspiring countless artists who followed.