In this episode of pplpod, we explore the tumultuous life and revolutionary art of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Born in Milan in 1571, Caravaggio rose from poverty to become the most famous painter in Rome, fundamentally changing Western art with his dramatic use of tenebrism—a high-contrast style of light and shadow. We discuss how he shocked the establishment by using prostitutes and laborers as models for his religious masterpieces, eschewing idealized forms for gritty naturalism.
However, Caravaggio’s genius was matched by a violent and erratic temper. We track his extensive police record, culminating in the 1606 killing of the gangster Ranuccio Tomassoni, which resulted in a death sentence and forced the artist into exile. Join us as we follow his flight to Naples, his brief induction (and subsequent imprisonment) as a Knight of Malta, and his desperate wanderings through Sicily while pursued by enemies.
Finally, we examine the mysteries surrounding his sexuality, his mental state, and his lonely death at age 38 while seeking a papal pardon.
Key Topics:
• The Birth of Baroque: How Caravaggio "put the shadows into chiaroscuro" and influenced artists like Rubens and Rembrandt.
• The Art of the Real: The scandal of using the prostitute Fillide Melandroni as a model for saints.
• Crime and Punishment: The fatal brawl with Tomassoni and the artist’s life on the run.
• A Tragic End: New scientific evidence suggesting sepsis, not syphilis, caused his death in 1610.
