Caravaggio, born Michelangelo Merisi on September 29, 1571, in Milan, Italy, was a seminal Italian painter whose work had a profound influence on the Baroque style. Renowned for his dramatic use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, Caravaggio's paintings often depicted religious themes with a stark realism and emotional intensity that broke away from the idealized representations common in his time. His notable works include "The Calling of Saint Matthew," "Judith Beheading Holofernes," and "The Supper at Emmaus." Despite his artistic brilliance, Caravaggio's life was marked by turbulence; he had a notorious reputation for his violent behavior and had numerous run-ins with the law, including a murder charge that led him to flee Rome. Caravaggio's innovative approach and dramatic compositions left an enduring legacy, influencing countless artists and cementing his place as one of the most important figures in Western art history. He died under mysterious circumstances on July 18, 1610, at the age of 38. Read more about Arts.
