About Caravaggio
Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi) painted religious scenes with real-looking people from the streets of Rome, lit by strong light against deep darkness. That dramatic lighting, called tenebrism, spread across Europe and shaped Baroque painting.
He lived a violent life, fled Rome after killing a man in 1606 and died in 1610, still in his thirties.
Where to see Caravaggio's famous paintings
| Painting | Date | Where |
|---|---|---|
| The Musicians | 1597 | The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York |
| The Calling of Saint Matthew | 1599 to 1600 | Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome |
How big are they?
The paintings drawn to scale next to a person 1.7 m tall.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most famous paintings by Caravaggio?
The Musicians, The Calling of Saint Matthew.
Where can I see paintings by Caravaggio?
The Musicians at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; The Calling of Saint Matthew at the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome.
When did Caravaggio live?
Caravaggio was born in 1571 and died in 1610.
Sources: Wikidata Q42207. Checked October 17, 2026. How we check.