Caravaggio (1571-1610) was an Italian painter, born in Milan . His style had a dominant stylistic sensibility, with shadows and transfixed subjects depicted under the ray of light. Caravaggio vividly expressed crucial moments within his paintings, often featuring violent struggles, torture and death. His influence on the new Baroque style that emerged was profound.  At the initial stage, his work was emulated and held in high regard, but as times change and techniques evolved, his work fell to the wayside.  It wasn’t until the 20th century that his work was reevaluated among art scholars, and reinstated as groundbreaking artistry that marked the beginning of modern art.

Some of his most famous works include “The Calling of Saint Matthew” (1600), “Supper at Emmaus” (1601) [see above] and “David with the head of Goliath“.

Caravaggio lived an turbulent life, marked by violence and erratic behaviour.  The circumstances around his death in 1610 remain unclear, with some speculating that he had succumb to a fever, while others suspect he had fallen victim to murder.