Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi Caravaggio was a troubled man. He was a drinker, a gambler, murdered a guy, and frequented brothels. All this and a fantastic painter too.

His style is called tenebroso which means shadow. He depicted Biblical scenes in contemporary Rome. His models wore typical Roman dress in his Rome. The use of light for Caravaggio was sacred in that he used it to show who or what was important in the painting.

One of my favorite painting from Caravaggio is Calling of Saint Matthew. It can be seen a few steps away from Piazza Navona in Rome at San Luigi dei Francesi. You will also see Martydom of Saint Matthew there. Both are amazing.Walk into the church and go towards the alter. At the Alter look to your left. They are in the last transept. You can drop a coin in the light box to light up the paintings. I highly recommend you do this.You can also see Caravaggio at the Vatican Pinacoteca, The Borghese Gallery, and the Uffizi.