|
International Art Treasures Web Magazine November 2005 |
|
Caravaggio: Painter of Miracles
Prose notes early on that Caravaggio was not a writer and little evidence of his actual thoughts exist outside of the legacy of his paintings. What information can be gleaned comes from police blotters, depositions and the like as those who battled wits or worse with Caravaggio sought redress for his actions against them.
Arrested for libel, assault, and countless other charges dog the life of the artist and oft sent him fleeing to new towns where his mark may be found in art left behind. Prose takes the reader into the world of the 17th Century Italian art scene. Rivalries were strong to obtain patrons and patronage. At one point Caravaggio was the most famous artist for his works not necessarily his antics. It was the former that saved him from answering for the latter in most but not all cases. The rivalries between artists were bitter and in one case outlasted Caravaggio's life. Giovanni Baglione, a rival artist to Caravaggio, published Le vite de'pittori,scultori, et architetti.. in 1642. That book discussed the Italian artists of the day and the biography of Caravaggio was brutal. In 1603 Baglione accused Caravaggio, Orazio Gentileschi, Onorio Longhi and Filippo Trisegni of defamation. The first three were accused of writing foul things about Baglione and Trisegni was accused of distributing the verses. The men were arrested and tried for slander. Nasty poems had been written about Baglione and his altarpiece for the Church of the Jesuits. He wanted the alleged writers punished. Caravaggio was deposed and his answers provide a glimpse into the man though that doesn't necessarily mean he was forthcoming and complete given the circumstances. His life was fascinating but it is his talent that made him famous beyond his time. A legacy, but for the 1642 book, which does not apply to Baglione. The Baglione altarpiece at the Church of the Gesú was replaced before the end of the 17th Century. The author explores some of Caravaggio's most famous works including The Gypsy Fortune-Teller, The Cardsharps, Boy Bitten by a Lizard and his religious masterpieces. The Calling of Saint Matthew, Rest on the Flight into Egypt, The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew, The Conversion of Saint Paul and The Crucifixion of Saint Peter to name just a few of the treasures examined in Caravaggio: Painter of Miracles. They are his monument.
As Prose journeys through the life of Caravaggio his time away from painting is investigated with the same devotion given to the works. The name of a common model is given, Fillide Melandroni, who was a courtesan. Caravaggio used ordinary street people as his models, and was criticized for doing so. Saints should be saintly not the common man but that was who they were before their devotion and new life began. Melandroni has some, it is believed, connection to the murder charge that Caravaggio faced forcing him to flee Rome and live his life on the run, finding time to paint, while staying one step ahead of a growing group of revenge seekers. The murder charge is common knowledge about Caravaggio that one of his usual models, a celebrated lady of the night, was involved is not as well known.
Michaelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio lived a short, violent life and found the time and had the talent to be the painter of miracles.
Front Cover Image: Caravaggio Painter of Miracles.
|
|
