Italian baroque virtuoso Caravaggio is lauded as the foremost naturalist painter of the 17th century. Surrounded by scandal, controversy, and accused of murder, it’s ironic that he is most famous for his religious art depicting divine figures as ordinary people. This was a rebellion against the idealized conventions that guided art for centuries before him. Despite being ridiculed for this departure, his success continued to grow. His work also exhibits the influence of High Renaissance masters, especially Michelangelo. He is also credited with bringing the dramatic effect of light and dark or “chiaroscuro” to prominence. Originally named Michelanglo Merisi, in his adult life he assumed the moniker

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