In Rome there is a church, Santa
Maria del Popolo, where you can see two of Caravaggio’s masterpieces: The
Conversion of St Paul and The Crucifixion of St Peter. Caravaggio is known
for his chiaroscuro painting technique
in which he uses subtleties of light and dark, often highlighting his subjects by a
bright light of which the source is unknown.
Entering the side chapel where these two painting are
displayed is almost like entering a Caravaggio painting itself. The chapel is
dimly lit, and as your eyes strain to find light within the shadows the timer on the recessed
lighting suddenly clicks on and you are drawn into the wonder, beauty, and movement
of both paintings.
Caravaggio can be very dramatic.
Last summer I came across a Caravaggio painting where I was
not expecting a Caravaggio painting to be – in Kansas City, Missouri. Hanging in the European art wing of the
Nelson-Atkins Museum of art, St John in the Wilderness is one of the few
Caravaggio paintings in the United States. As I stood in front of that unexpected
discovery, as I explored the feelings evoked when art, history, culture and
travel collide, I knew that within a year I would return to Italy and bring
with me some family and friends.
And today, here I am nine days away from a trip to
Italy.
Traveling with me will be twenty-two women (family members and
friends) who, whether they realize it or not, are off on this grand adventure
because Caravaggio -- with his passion, drama, and stark portrayals of life -- led me out of the shadows of dreams and into the
light of reality.
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Caravaggio, Conversion of St Paul, 1601
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Caravaggio, The Crucifixion of St Peter, 1601 |
