CARAVAGGIO

born 1571?, Milan? died July 18, 1610, Port'Ercole, Tuscany The Deposition of Christ, oil on canvas by Caravaggio, 160204; in the Vatican byname of Michelangelo Merisi Italian painter whose revolutionary technique of tenebrism, or dramatic, selective illumination of form out of deep shadow, became a hallmark of Baroque painting (see photograph). Scorning the traditional idealized interpretation of religious subjects, he took his models from the streets and painted them realistically. His three paintings of St. Matthew (c. 15971602) caused a sensation and were followed by such masterpieces as The Supper at Emmaus (159698) and Death of the Virgin (160506). Additional reading Important studies of both his life and his paintings include Bernard Berenson, Caravaggio: His Incongruity and His Fame (1953); Walter Friedlaender, Caravaggio Studies (1955, reissued 1974); R.P. Hinks, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio: His Life, His Legend, His Works (1953); Giuseppe Delogu, Caravaggio (1962); Alfred Moir, Caravaggio (1982); Howard Hibbard, Caravaggio (1983), a synthesis of recent scholarship; and Richard E. Spear, Caravaggio and His Followers, rev. ed. (1975), on the artist's influence on 17th-century European painting.