Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio or Caravaggio was a famous Italian artist (born, September 29, 1571), credited to have revolutionized the ‘Baroque’ style of painting. He was prominent for his dramatic rendition of the aristocratic and melancholic monarchs and their nobility. His paintings reflected personal emotions in an exaggerated manner, in order to create dramatic and anxious impact. In addition, Caravaggio was especially commended for his sensitive use of lighting to illuminate the subject’s emotions in deep shadows and intense brightness. A typical masterpiece of Caravaggio’s excellent ‘Baroque’ style was created during 1607-08, as “Portrait of Alof de Wignacourt and his Page.”
Michelangelo da Caravaggio led a very notorious life. In 1606, he was accused of murdering a man named Ranuccio Tomassoni. Fearing the legal proceedings, he fled Rome, and first reached Naples. After staying there for a few months, he went to Malta, with the hope that the patron of Malta, Alof de Wignacourt (Grand Master of Knights), would rescue him from his legal proceedings and forgive him for the murder he committed. Desperate, he created the best work of his life, the very famous, “Portrait of Alof de Wignacourt and his Page.”
Alof de Wignacourt was always eager to expand and increase the stature of his court. Therefore, he recognized Michelangelo’s talent and commissioned him to paint his portrait. In “Portrait of Alof de Wignacourt and his Page,” Michelangelo intelligently used light to portray the grandeur and bravery of the knight Alof de Wignacourt. The Grand Master (aged sixty then) is looking away from the audience in the picture, which aptly projects his grand stature and aristocracy. The golden bronze light falling on his face, duly depict Caravaggio’s bravery and bold rugged features. The baton in the king’s hand is distinguished for its sheer enormity. The Knighthood of the Grand Master is wearing majestic black and gold Milanese armor for that complete royal touch.
The other notable feature of “Portrait of Alof de Wignacourt and his Page” was the pageboy, who carries the helmet of the Grand Master. He is the sole human connection in the painting, as he looks directly into the viewer’s eyes. It is still debatable whether the boy was actually present with the Grand Knight when the portrait was painted, because the boy’s feet seem to be in line with the Knight, while his upper body tends to overlap the Grand Master’s elbow. This contradiction highlights the fact that Caravaggio preferred painting his subjects separately. He aptly depicts the Master in his armory and shows his interest in war, whereas he portrays the boy with much secret emotions.
The double portrait Michelangelo Caravaggio created was an attempt to show contradictions between purity and violence. “Portrait of Alof de Wignacourt and his Page” also depicts bravery and a knight’s utmost love for war. The intense feelings of courage are entwined with the sensitive portrayal of the pageboy, depicting Caravaggio’s success in finding a stable home among the knights of Malta. The 77″ x 53″, oil on canvass work, “Portrait of Alof de Wignacourt and his Page” is presently displayed at Louvre, Paris, and continues to enthrall all art lovers alike.
His Most Famous Painting (Portrait of Alof De Wignacourt and His Page) - Caravaggio
Nav komentāru:
Ierakstīt komentāru