Caravaggio is mostly remembered as a genius and great Italian painter today but that was not the only image that he has ever had. While his skill was recognised in his own lifetime, it was paired with a bit of a reputation as a bad boy. He was fond of drinking and gambling, was known to have rather drastic mood swings and was prone to violence. In fact, he was often found brawling in different establishments.
In 1603 he even briefly ended up in prison after another artist accused him of attacking him. After this, his behaviour worsened, rather than improved. Records show a list of incident involving the painter: throwing a plate of artichokes at a waiter in 1604, attacking Roman guards with stones in 1605 and, in 1606, he killed a well-known Roman pimp named Ranuccio Tomassoni. The exact details of this final and most damning crime – something his keen and powerful patrons couldn't easily sweep under the carpet – are uncertain. Theories range from a tennis match gone awry to Caravaggio's wandering eye landing on Tomassoni's wife, Lavinia, but the true story has been lost to history.
Due to the very serious nature of this crime, Caravaggio had to immediately go on the run. He fled Rome but, luckily, there were patrons willing to house him and other places to hide. His time on the run led him to Naples, Malta and Sicily, among other locations and, all the while, though he was condemned for what he did, he also became more famous. They say there is no such thing as bad press, right? Furthermore, he was also working in this time, producing "Madonna of the Rosary" for another artist in Naples, "The Seven Works of Mercy" for the church of Pio Chapel of Monte della Misericordia, the "Beheading of St. John the Baptist" for the cathedral in Valletta in Malta, "The Resurrection of Lazarus" and "The Adoration of the Shepherds" in Messina and the "Adoration with St. Francis and St. Lawrence” in Palermo.
Despite the image that the artist being sheltered and given commissions while on the run and the fact of his increasing fame, Caravaggio wasn't exactly living the high life. He was in constant fear of his life and of being caught and was a nervous wreck who slept in his clothes and with a dagger at his side.
What does any of this have to do with Tuscany, you might be wondering? Well, read on to the next post and Caravaggio's final chapter and learn all about how he died on a beach on the Tuscan Coast. A macabre subject, perhaps, but one more reason as to why the area is so fascinating. Caravaggio enthusiasts, in particular, will be interested to see the rather beautiful spot he spent his last moments. Just find a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast and see it for yourself.
Due to the very serious nature of this crime, Caravaggio had to immediately go on the run. He fled Rome but, luckily, there were patrons willing to house him and other places to hide. His time on the run led him to Naples, Malta and Sicily, among other locations and, all the while, though he was condemned for what he did, he also became more famous. They say there is no such thing as bad press, right? Furthermore, he was also working in this time, producing "Madonna of the Rosary" for another artist in Naples, "The Seven Works of Mercy" for the church of Pio Chapel of Monte della Misericordia, the "Beheading of St. John the Baptist" for the cathedral in Valletta in Malta, "The Resurrection of Lazarus" and "The Adoration of the Shepherds" in Messina and the "Adoration with St. Francis and St. Lawrence” in Palermo.
Despite the image that the artist being sheltered and given commissions while on the run and the fact of his increasing fame, Caravaggio wasn't exactly living the high life. He was in constant fear of his life and of being caught and was a nervous wreck who slept in his clothes and with a dagger at his side.
What does any of this have to do with Tuscany, you might be wondering? Well, read on to the next post and Caravaggio's final chapter and learn all about how he died on a beach on the Tuscan Coast. A macabre subject, perhaps, but one more reason as to why the area is so fascinating. Caravaggio enthusiasts, in particular, will be interested to see the rather beautiful spot he spent his last moments. Just find a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast and see it for yourself.
