Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian Baroque painter known for his dramatic use of light and shadow, as well as his realistic depiction of human figures. He is considered one of the most influential artists of the Baroque period. Caravaggio was born on September 29, 1571, in Milan, Italy. He trained in the workshop of Simone Peterzano, where he developed his early style. In the late 1590s, he moved to Rome, where he gained fame for his innovative approach to painting. His works often depicted religious themes with a focus on realism and emotional intensity, challenging the conventions of his time. Major works include 'The Calling of Saint Matthew,' 'Judith Beheading Holofernes,' and 'The Supper at Emmaus.' Caravaggio's style, characterized by chiaroscuro and naturalism, had a profound impact on the development of Baroque art and influenced countless artists in the years that followed. His tumultuous life, marked by violence and legal troubles, ultimately led to his death on July 18, 1610, under mysterious circumstances.