Historical Analysis of Caravaggio's Contribution to the World of Art

As the 16th century ended a new form of art arose in Western Europe known as the Baroque, which lasted between ca. 1600-1750. It began in Rome as a reaction against mannerism and emerged during the Counter Reformation and was supported by the catholic church as a way of opposing the new protestant reformation. Baroque artists rejected the Renaissance style of idealism and the perfection of form and figure to explore realism and naturalism. A famous baroque artist that explored this notation was Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, an Italian painter who lived in Rome for most of his artistic life. Completed in 1601, Caravaggio portrays the biblical event of St Peters martyrdom by crucifixion where it is displayed in the Cerasi Chapel of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome.

The painting, quite large in size, 230cm x 175cm, focuses on Saint Peter, the central focal point. St Peter is nailed on the cross while the other figures assumed to be Roman soldiers, are scattered around him. Caravaggio uses dark browns, greys and blacks to create dark shadows visible in the background. This helps to create a dramatic contrast against the light that shines across St Peter’s flesh, making Peter more noticeable to the viewer. The light is also noticeable on the back of the labourers, achieved by using light tones of pale yellows, white and cream. The diagonal positioning of the labourer’s bodies lead the viewers eye towards the centre of the image, being Peter on the cross. The rope that lies across the back of the labourer and cross are also in a diagonal position which also assist the eye towards Peter. Caravaggio used his preferred medium of oil on canvas to paint the piece. He used neutral tones consisting of browns and yellows, which enhance the sombre scene and appeal to the notation of the real world. The only vibrant colours that are featured in this painting are the red cloth draped over the man to the far left of the painting and the green trousers. This may symbolise power and wealth that the Roman Soldiers had at the time, although seeming quite ironic as they struggle to raise the cross which is noted by the visible strain in the hands of the labourers, highlighted by using red tones and visible veins. Caravaggio explores co-extensive space by extending the composition beyond the painting and into the viewers space. Peter’s arm, knees and feet are turned outwards towards the viewer as well as the buttocks of the man kneeling on the ground, helping to feel as though the viewer is present amongst the scene and feel very tangible and believable.

Caravaggio rejected the past style of Renaissance artists that focused on idealism, instead he focused on realism and embracing natural flaws. Caravaggio includes these details as seen by the figures with dirt on the soles of their feet and visibly dirty nail beds. The Romans are also tugging and pulling in multiple directions making the pain visible to the viewer. Addressing this theme of realism was quite unusual and shocking to many at the time. Caravaggio made no attempt to idealise the subject he was painting. A Cardinal's secretary described one of Caravaggio paintings, the Madonna dei Palafrenieri, to show “vulgarity, sacrilege, impiousness and disgust...’ , however this was the notation of realism, common in his paintings.. Some of the typical qualities that are characterised by baroque art include great dramatic scenes created from intense light and dark shadows. This is evident in the dark and ominous background of the painting in comparison to the light that shines dramatically on Peter. This technique known as tenebrism, common in baroque paintings, allowed artists like Caravaggio to highlight sections he wanted to be the main focal area. Caravaggio has used chiaroscuro technique where the prominent light source and dark shadows help to create the illusion of three dimensional forms of the human figure. The shadows are cast on certain areas of the figures body helping to create the figures look toned. The light on Peter could represent a greater power, the divine light, symbolic of hope and religion in the Christian faith, in contrast to the Roman’s faces that are obscured by shadows. Caravaggio may have aimed to help convince people to not convert to the protestant faith as there is only hope and meaning in the Christian faith. The figures are painted in a curvilinear style, all twisting in different directions, a common characteristic during the baroque period amongst painting and statues . The figures are shown in dynamic postures, Peter is twisting himself away from the cross and the executioners are bending in different directions, appearing like they are struggling to raise him, perhaps emphasising the chaotic and emotional feeling of death. There is emotional intensity as the painting portrays anguish and despair as the figures try to lift the crucifix with peter nailed to the cross. The nails in his hand and feet are visible in detail and the pain is portrayed through the details of the nail in the flesh, helping to evoke emotion in the viewer. It was common for “Baroque art (to) address the senses directly and reach the intellect through the emotions rather than through reason.”

The likely function of this painting was to help restore the faith of Christianity to the people of Europe during the protestant reformation. During the counter reformation, the catholic church had commissioned many artists to create intense and dramatic works of art that portrayed biblical scenes in hope to restore the faith of those amongst Europe. Paintings were popular to retell famous stories or events especially because many did not have the ability to read the biblical stories, which therefore allowed more individuals to understand certain historical biblical events and feel emotion from the paintings. Caravaggio created “a vivid, new religious art that spoke to the people in a language they could effortlessly understand”. The painting is a sign of hope that God is real as Peter is not in any despair as the light shines upon him as the men struggle to lift him, signifying that he is at ease because he trusts Christ, possibly a sign that all should trust in the catholic faith over Protestantism. The artwork needed to “delight, teach and move the viewer”, in hope that they do not drift from their faith.

To conclude, Caravaggio was a very important artist in portraying realism throughout artwork. Through his techniques, he was able to convey many stories and themes to people around the world that could be easily interpreted and understood.

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