In Search Of Caravaggio In Rome

 One may not know, that there are many Churches around Rome where one can view  many masterpieces completed by the Italian masters of art for free. Only caveat, is that it involves lots of walking, just like a treasure hunt, lots of research and a map to discover all of these masterpieces. When I was in Rome, I decided to search for Caravaggio's painting all around the Eternal City as much as I can. I plotted my course in an efficient way in one day. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio is one of my favourite artists. Commonly known as Caravaggio is the name of his hometown, Caravaggio, a small town near Milan. He was born in 29 September 1571 and died on 18 July 1610. He lived a very controversial life filled with lots of painting of these masterpieces, notorious for brawlings, committed a crime, was exiled in Malta then was allegedly murdered through lead poisoning. But he definitely left the world with his masterpieces which he painted using the chiaroscuro style of painting which is contrasting dark, even black areas of deep shadow with planes of colourful light. This style of painting showed his painting with dramatic effects highlighting the faces, the clothing and shapes of his subjects. The best part is that most of his masterpieces are displayed in churches around Rome for free. Here are some places that I managed to visit and discovered Caravaggio's great paintings. 

 

 

At the Santa Maria del Popolo, Caravaggio's painting depicting the Crucifixion of St. Peter. 

The Conversion of Saint Paul depicted the saint when he fell from his horse on his way to Damascus and became blind. 

 

 The dome of Santa Maria del Popolo. 

Inside the San Luigi dei Francesi which is the French National Church in Rome, near the Piazza Navona. This church is dedicated to the Saint King Louis IX of France.

 

The ceiling, the main altar and the organ. 

 

Caravaggio painted St, Matthew and the Angel. 

 

The Calling of St Matthew depicted here when St Matthew a known tax collector was chosen by Jesus to be his disciple. 

 The Martyrdom of St. Matthew. 

Entrance to the Galleria Borghese are based on timed ticketing and can be purchased on-line. 

 

Caravaggio's David with the Head of Goliath shows here a perfect example of his chiaroscuro style of painting - dark background with his subjects painted in light using different paint colours.  

 

Caravaggio's Self Portrait (left) and St. John The Baptist (right).

 

St. Jerome

 

Madonna of the Serpent. 

Another place in Rome worthy to see Caravaggio paintings for free is at the Basilica Sant' Agostino (Madonna del Loreto) and for an entrance fee at the Capitoline Museum, Palazzo Barberini and the Galleria Doria Pamphilj.