The Mystery of Caravaggio’s Death Resolved--FINALLY!

The Conversion of St. Paul, oil on canvas by Caravaggio, 1601; in Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome (click photo for larger image)The Italian painter Caravaggio (byname of Michelangelo Merisi , 1571- c. 1610) whose revolutionary technique of “tenebrism” (dramatic, selective illumination of form out of deep shadow) became a hallmark of Baroque painting. Caravaggio was never a traditionalist--either in his life or his work. He was the first artist to scorn the idealized interpretation of religious subjects that were typical of his day, Instead, he worked with models from the streets and painted them realistically. Saints had dirty clothes and dirty feet--and colors attempted to reveal what life had truly looked like during the time of his subjects. His works caused a sensation--as did his life. And the details of his death have always remained something of a mystery. But...now we know how this great artist met his end. Check out the following article to find out....