'The Master of Light Caravaggio and His Descendants' runs at Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Art Museum until March 27

"Boy Bitten by a Lizard" by Caravaggio, Private Collection (Provided by Acts Management)

Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) is a historic figure of Baroque art, renowned for his masterful use of high contrast between light and shadow. The exhibition “The Master of Light Caravaggio and His Descendants” illuminates his artistic path and introduces other Baroque artists who may be little known to Korean audiences.

The exhibition at Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Art Museum begins in a room where light from a window hits the floor, creating a contrast of light and dark. A total of 57 paintings have been brought from Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Ursino Castle Museum in Catania and private collectors.

An entrance to the exhibition  “The Master of Light Caravaggio and His Descendants” at Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Art Museum  (Park Yuna/The Korea Herald)
An entrance to the exhibition “The Master of Light Caravaggio and His Descendants” at Seoul Arts Center’s Hangaram Art Museum (Park Yuna/The Korea Herald)

Around 10 paintings by Caravaggio are featured, including masterpieces such as “Boy Bitten by a Lizard,” “The Taking of Christ” and “Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy.” Other works by Baroque artists such as Annibale Carracci and Caravaggio’s rival, Orazio Gentileschi, are among the 57 paintings on display.

The painting "Boy Bitten by a Lizard" illustrates a motif widespread in Renaissance love poetry -- a lizard appearing suddenly near fruit and biting the boy’s hand. It captures the moment when amorous pleasure turns into suffering. Two other versions of the painting are held at The National Gallery in London and the Fondazione Longhi in Florence.

Born in 1571, Caravaggio was quick-tempered by nature, and often found himself involved in brawls and misdeeds that forced him into a life on the run. The artist died at the age of 38 while trying to return to Rome in a desperate attempt to secure the pope's pardon for his sins.

"The Taking of Christ" by Caravaggio, Collection from Uffizi Gallery (Provided by Acts Management)

The Baroque style of art and architecture, which emerged after the Renaissance, flourished from the early 17th century until the mid-18th century, emphasizing intense light, dark shadows, and dramatic, exaggerated features.

“Since Michelangelo, no other Italian painter has had as much influence” as Caravaggio, according to a quote on the wall of the exhibition by American art historian Bernard Berenson (1865-1959). The term “Caravaggism” refers to a style of painting in the era characterized by realism and dramatic lighting.

The exhibition is part of commemorations for the 140th anniversary of Korea-Italy diplomatic relations in 2024. The exhibition runs through March 27.