Caravaggio was an Italian painter known for his innovative use of light and shadow, as well as his realistic and sometimes controversial depictions of religious and secular subjects. Here are five of his most controversial paintings :
- "The Death of the Virgin" (1606): This painting caused a scandal when it was first displayed in the church of Santa Maria della Scala in Rome, because of its realistic portrayal of the Virgin Mary’s body. Many felt that the painting was indecent and disrespectful, and Caravaggio was forced to repaint parts of it to make it more acceptable to the church authorities.
- "Judith Beheading Holofernes" (1599-1602): This painting depicts the biblical story of Judith, a widow who saves her city by beheading the Assyrian general Holofernes. The violent and graphic nature of the painting, with blood spurting from Holofernes' neck, shocked viewers and was seen as a departure from traditional religious art.
- "Saint Matthew and the Angel" (1602): This painting caused controversy because of its depiction of Saint Matthew as an ordinary, uneducated man, rather than a holy figure. Caravaggio’s use of everyday people as models for religious subjects was seen as irreverent by some critics.
- "The Entombment of Christ" (1603-1604): This painting depicts the burial of Christ, but the figures are arranged in a disordered and chaotic manner, which was seen as a departure from traditional religious art. Some critics also objected to the fact that the painting shows Christ’s body in a state of decay, which they felt was disrespectful.
- "Amor Vincit Omnia" (1601-1602): This painting shows Cupid (Amor) standing on a pile of earthly possessions, holding a bow and arrow. The painting’s title, which means "Love conquers all," was seen as a challenge to the traditional hierarchy of values, and the painting was criticized for its irreverent treatment of love and sexuality.
