Michelangelo Caravaggio (Caravaggio)

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an influential Italian Baroque painter active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Known simply as Caravaggio, he revolutionized art with his dramatic use of lighting—called chiaroscuro—which created intense shadows and highlights. His realistic, often gritty portrayal of religious and everyday scenes brought a sense of immediacy and emotional depth to his work. Despite personal struggles and a tumultuous life, his innovative techniques and powerful imagery profoundly impacted Western art, inspiring many future artists and shifting the direction of European painting toward naturalism and dramatic storytelling.