{The Baroque Period [continued (4)]}[7th May 1991]

[Redbook9:287][19910507:0915d]{The Baroque Period [continued (4)]}[7th May 1991]

19910507:0915

[continued]

‘Michelangelo da Caravaggio, better known as Merisi Caravaggio, emerged from the Milanese ambience during the penultimate decade of the 16^th century [ce] and was active in Rome by c[irca]1595[ce].* His earliest paintings were conspicuous for the almost enamel-like brilliance of the colours, the strong chiaroscuro (dramatic contrast between light and dark) called tenebrism, and the extraordinary virtuosity with which all the details are rendered.

But this harsh realism was replaced by a much more powerful mature style in his paintings for S. Luigi dei Francesci, Rome, begun 1597[ce]** and Sta. Maria del Poplolo, Rome, c[irca]1601[ce]** (See Plate 13).*** His selection of plebeian models for the most important characters in his religious pictures caused great controversy, but the utter sincerity of the figures and the intensity of dramatic feeling are characteristic of the Baroque.

Although Caravaggio had no direct pupils, Caravaggism was the dominant new force in Rome during the first decade of the 17^th century and subsequently had enormous influence outside Italy.’

***

(+ Caracci# and Rubens#*)

*ie 1580-1590[ce]

64G~1584|C1600[ce]

**64C1600[ce]

***[Not reproduced in the ms or the ts]

****– E[ncyclopaedia] B[ritannica] 25:353 [Single paragraph]

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#[See next ts journal entry]

#*[See next ts journal entry but one]

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