Flemish Baroque Artists
Caravaggio, born Michelangelo Merisi in 1571, was an Italian painter known for his dramatic use of light and shadow, also known as chiaroscuro, and his realistic depictions of the human form. A key figure in the Baroque art movement, Caravaggio's innovative style diverged from the idealized imagery prevalent during the Renaissance, instead portraying subjects with a raw, naturalistic intensity. His work often depicted religious themes and figures, but through the lens of everyday life, imbuing his paintings with a sense of immediacy and emotion that was groundbreaking for its time. Caravaggio's influence can be seen in the works of numerous artists who followed him, making him an enduring and important figure in the world of art.