Caravaggio

by Vittorio Sgarbi

Art critic, historian, writer, TV presenter, politician and professional provocateur, Vittorio Sgarbi is a prominent figure in Italy's cultural landscape. Controversial, often caustic, and always charismatic, his thought-provoking opinions and writings leave no room for indifference. In this highly readable and well-informed book, Sgarbi covers the life and works of Caravaggio, analyzing the genius's disordered and adventurous existence and the revolutionary greatness of his masterpieces. As Vittorio Sgarbi writes in the "The life and work of an artist always end up looking alike; but in Caravaggio's life there was a sense of fun, an enjoyment of burlesque and a lack of propriety that is not reflected even in his in most daring works. In Caravaggio , we had the cohabitation of a sophisticated, intellectual capable of imprinting an ideal turning point in the course of history and the principal character of an adventure story-quarrelsome, overbearing, cursed-as he was portrayed in romantic interpretations. On the other hand, his intemperance cannot be ascribed to the spirit of the times; behavior that we would call extravagant today was instead common in such violent and difficult times. The true greatness of Caravaggio lay in his having shown the other, and indeed authentic side of reality. But these are external elements, psychological reflections that pass from life into art."

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Vittorio Umberto Antonio Maria Sgarbi (born 8 May 1952 in Ferrara) is an Italian art critic, art historian, politician, cultural commentator and television personality known for his excess and chaotic attitude. He was appointed curator of the Italian Pavilion at the 2011 Venice Biennale. Several times a member of the Italian Parliament, he changed numerous times political factions from the Monarchist Union to Communist Party, Centrists, Right-Wing parties, Socialist, Liberals, the Italian Radicals to several parties founded by himself, He served also in Milan's municipal government. In 2012, he was removed as Mayor of Salemi by the Ministry of Interior because of Mafia interferences in the village.

Reviews

[Amy Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a lot of books about Caravaggio, and this one has probably been the most academic in terms of the detail of research and history. Vittorio Sgarbi writes with passion, pizazz and knowledge about an artist about whom so much has already been written, and does so in a unique way. Going through the paintings one by one (I noticed a couple had been omitted) is the best way to track Caravaggio's life and get to know the age he was living in. Highly recommended, I only wish I'd read the book at university.

[Ananda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un bel libro introduttivo su Caravaggio che ben pone l'accento sull'origine dello stile pittorico e mettendo un po' da parte il mito e la leggenda.Interessanti i dettagli tecnici presenti tanto nel saggio introduttivo che nelle tavole, a cura di Francesca Marini.