Basket of Fruit (1594-1598), Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Milan - A still life painting where the defective condition of the fruit is taken to symbolize the fading beauty and the natural decaying of all things.
Bacchus (1597-1598), Uffizi Gallery, Florence - A youthful Bacchus (Caravaggio himself? Some say it is a self-portrait) that looks like an ancient Roman languidly reclined on a triclinium, holding out a cup of wine as if inviting the viewer to join him.
Medusa (1598), Uffizi Gallery - With this work, Caravaggio silenced those who criticized his works for lacking of "action" and "motion" in the subjects he represented.
Boy bitten by a lizard (1595-96), Fondazione Longhi, Florence - A boy in a disordered position, looking both surprised and in pain, is one of Caravaggio's best known works, if only for the unusual title given to it.
The Calling of St. Matthew (1599) - San Luigi dei Francesi, Cappella Contarelli, Rome - the first public commissioned work for Caravaggio, it depicts the moment when Jesus inspires Matthew to follow him; what is most striking is the use of light.
Conversion on the Way to Damascus, Basilica Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome - an ordinary theme is portrayed, as is often the case with Caravaggio, in an original way, with the horse taking up most of the painting, Saul lying down, no depicting of Jesus.
Supper at Emmaus (1605-1606), Pinacoteca di Brera, Milano - the scene depicted here, after Jesus has broken the bread, is simple and dark, with a few objects on the table creating deep shadows, the moment before Jesus leaving.
A recent film about one of the most controversial and visionary artists, “Caravaggio – Blood and Soul,” was such a box office success that there will be a national rerun in movie theaters across Italy on March 27-28.
If you can’t catch the movie, a visual and narrative journey into the places where Caravaggio lived and worked, you can certainly take a real trip to the places that guard some of Caravaggio’s greatest masterpieces, works of art you have to see at least once in your life!
