Michelangelo da Caravaggio was an artist from Milan who faced endless tragedy. Learn more about this master artist in this FREE study by Masterpiece Society!
“I am always learning.” ~Michelangelo da Caravaggio
The Early Life of Michelangelo da Caravaggio
Michelangelo da Caravaggio (pronunciation) was born on September 29, 1571 in Milan. His family was of noble heritage, but they lived in poverty. His father died when he was six and his mother passed away shortly after.
As a child, Caravaggio was known to be quite rebellious and hot-tempered, which would later lead him into some trouble. Before his move to Rome in 1592, Caravaggio was apprenticed to the painter Simone Peterzano. It was under him that Caravaggio’s talent for painting began to emerge.
His Art Career Begins
After moving to Rome, he became a successful painter and gained the patronage of powerful patrons such as Cardinal del Monte. It was during this period that Caravaggio began producing his signature style of painting. His works were characterized by their realism, deep shadows, and use of light. He often created paintings that displayed religious or mythological stories in the form of secular art.
Caravaggio became known as one of the Baroque era’s most famous and influential painters, though his life was often marred by scandal due to his temperamental behavior. In 1606, he killed a man in a sword fight, which resulted in him fleeing Rome for Naples and Malta, where his works would become increasingly religious in nature.
Caravaggio’s Death
He was married in 1608 and was pardoned for his crime in 1610, but he never returned to Rome. Instead, he traveled to Sicily and then Naples where he died on July 18, 1610, at the age of 38. His death is often believed to have been caused by a fever contracted while on his travels.
Throughout his lifetime, Caravaggio produced more than 50 paintings, and his works have had a lasting influence on art to this day. He is often credited with being the first modern painter due to his use of realism in his artwork and his ability to capture emotion in his subjects. His revolutionary styles of painting have influenced generations of artists after him, cementing him as one of the most influential painters of all time.
Caravaggio. The Complete Works. 40th Ed.
Caravaggio Coloring Book: Masterpieces from the MasterCaravaggio: The Artist and His WorkCaravaggio
