The Florence Newspaper: Caravaggio e Caravaggeschi Exhibit at the Uffizi and Palatine Galleries

Born as the Renaissance reached its conclusion in the late 16th century, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio created a place for himself in the artistic world through his highly emotional paintings and despite his apparently volatile behavior. (He was known to have an eccentric personality and spent the last four years of his life avoiding arrest for a murder committed during a street brawl in Rome.) His artistic legacy stems not only from the horrific, yet mesmerizing, face of Medusa, or the equally repulsive yet beautiful representation of the triumph of the fearless Judith over Holofernes, but from his exploration of a stylistic movement which changed the course of art history - chiaroscuro. Through this technique, using the contrasts between dark and light, shadow and color to express the emotions within his masterpieces, he produced impassioned and naturalistic works. In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Caravaggio's death, Florence celebrates the artist's life achievements and the movement he created through three exhibits running concurrently at the Uffizi Gallery, at the Palatine Gallery at the Pitti Palace, and at the Villa Bardini. The exhibits run until October 17, 2010 and include examples of his most famous as well as more obscure works, alongside those of his followers, the caravaggeschi. The former include his Medusa and Bacchus, and the latter range from Bartolomeo Manfredi to the Dutch artists Gerard van Honthorst and Theodore Rombouts. As a 400 hundred-year-old mystery revolving around his final resting place at Porto Ercole draws to a close, an exhibition highlighting his masterpieces and his following is only fitting. For access to all three exhibits, the Caravaggio Card is available for 25 Euro.

Written by Jessica Card
Art History Intern at The Florence Newspaper

Caravaggio e Caravaggeschi a Firenze
May 22 - October 10 2010
Uffizi Gallery and Palatine Gallery (Pitti Palace)
Tuesday - Sunday, 8:15 a.m - 6:50 p.m
Uffizi Gallery 10 Euro
Palatine Gallery 12 Euro

Caravaggio e la Modernita
I Dipinti della Fondazione Roberto Longhi
Villa Bardini (Costa San Giorgio 6)
May 22 - October 17 2010
Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00 a.m - 6:00 p.m
6 Euro

Original Article
www.florencenewspaper.it/vediarticolo.asp?news=b0.06.23.15.20

The Florence Newspaper: Advanced Technologies Confirm Caravaggio's Remains

Human remains have been found on the coast of Monte Aretario, and with 85% certainty scientists claim that they belong to Michelangelo Merisi also known as Caravaggio. “Caravaggio died in Porto Ercole, and must remain here” says Mayor Arturo Cerulli. The northern league wants the remains to be transported to Milan, but Mayor Cerulli thinks otherwise claiming “I would not give them to Milan.” In Italy there is an established practice used when finding human remains: the place of burial is the place of death.

Advanced technology has allowed scientist to conclude that out of the eight possible theories surrounding Caravaggio’s death that Professor Maurizio Marini has the correct one. Professor Marini’s theory suggests that Caravaggio landed in Porto Ercole after fleeing Naples. It is believed that Caravaggio suffered a severe injury and was already ill when he reached the port in Tuscany. Soon after, Caravaggio contracted typhoid after eating contaminated food. Professor Marini’s believes that Caravaggio was taken to the Santa Maria Ausiliatrice hospital where he passed away. Caravaggio was buried in the church of St. Erasmus in 1610. Church records found by Professor Marini have Caravaggio’s death listed as 1609. However, Caravaggio’s official date of death is 1610 the conflicting dates can be explained by the Gregorian calendar which had not yet been introduced in this part of Tuscany. Records have also confirmed that Caravaggio was buried in a smaller cemetery, the Sebastiano cemetery. The Sebastiano cemetery was closed on 1956 and, the remains were then moved to the Rasmus cemetery.

The advanced technologies used to prove Professor Marini’s theory include a variety of methods. Examining the Skeleton using Carbon- 14 dating had allowed scientists to calculate the time period in which Caravaggio lived. A histological examination dates the skeletal remains between the ages of 37 and 45. Caravaggio died at the age of 39 making the age of the remains a match to the painter. Traces of mercury and lead were found in Caravaggio’s bones, which were common components of paint in his time. The committee for the promotion of historical, cultural, and environmental heritage can conclude with confidence that they have found the human remains of Michelangelo Merisi. However, there still remains the question of where the remains shall be left to rest. According to the established practices the remains should be left to rest where they were found and it appears that the mayor is willing to put up a fight.

Written by Shannon Coleman
Anthropology and Culture Intern at The Florence Newspaper

Original Article:
www.florencenewspaper.it/vediarticolo.asp?news=b0.06.25.12.05