Caravaggio’s 5 Most Controversial Paintings

A deep dive into the rebel artist

Caravaggio was born in Milan.

In his early twenties, he travelled to Rome, where he was offered many art commissions from affluent patrons.

Unlike other artists who employed idealism in their paintings, Caravaggio preferred naturalism and used live models to create unprecedented psychological drama and realism in his works.

It is no surprise that his art often stirred up controversy, as breaking conventional norms tends to do.

In this article, we will delve into five of Caravaggio’s most controversial artworks.

1. Crucifixion of Saint Peter (1601)

Crucifixion of Saint Peter

I wrote an article titled The Secret Behind Paintings With Dirty Feet a while back.

Caravaggio was known for his exceptional ability to depict realism in his paintings, regardless of whether his subjects were God, a saint, or an ordinary man.

His painting of Saint Peter is a perfect example of this, where he portrays him as an average person rather than a glorified saint.

The painting shows Saint Peter on an upside-down cross, not in the typical crucifixion pose of Jesus. The nails hammered into Peter’s hands and legs…