Publisher's Synopsis
The technical methods of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573-1610) were revolutionary and brought him into endless controversy - he is recorded as painting directly on to the canvas from a model, instead of working from sketches and squared-up preparatory drawings. He had some influence on Guido Reni and Guercino, and a decisive one on the Utrecht school and in Naples. The realism of Ribera and Maino links him with the early work of Velazquez and Murillo, and in France La Tour. Rubens was a profound admirer and much of Rembrandt's work stems from him. This is a history of his life and work.