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'The Incredulity of St:Thomas.' Caravaggio Italian (1571-1610) Oil on canvas circa 1600.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) was born in Caravaggio , near Milan, the son of a stonemason. His wonderful talent showed itself early and by the age of sixteen he was studying in Rome.
Regarded as the first 'realist' Caravaggio astonished his contemporaries in Rome with paintings that made mythological and religious paintings vivid and immediate . Using ordinary people from the back streets as his models , Caravaggio sought the truth of his subjects in the drama of the everyday . His use of 'chiaroscuro'- the contrast of light and dark to create atmosphere , drama and emotion - was revolutionary . His use of light is unreal , it seems to come from outside the painting creating deep relief and dark shadow.
Caravaggio was a prototype of the rebellious tormented genius . Often in trouble for violence , on the 28th of May 1606 he killed an opponent in a duel . With a capital sentence on his head he was forced to flee Rome for Naples , where , unfortunately he was soon in trouble again , and so was forced to flee to Malta . After further adventures , he began his return to Rome seeking a Papal pardon ; whilst on this journey , he again got into trouble . His ship containing several of his paintings sailed without him. Caravaggio died shortly afterwards , probably of malaria , unaware that a Papal pardon had been granted.
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