The Essay - Reflections on Caravaggio Part 5

The fifth and final instalment of BBC Radio's Reflections on Caravaggio is a special treat. Unlike the academics from previous episodes, this presentation by Andrew Graham-Dixon is intriguingly narrated, and focuses on the events of Caravaggio's life after his fateful duel with Ranuccio Tomassoni in 1606. Those who have seen the 3PP posts on Donatello's David and Francesco I de' Medici will recognise Graham-Dixon from the documentary Medici - Makers of Modern Art.  

Here is a clip from Who Killed Caravaggio courtesy of  Graham-Dixon's official YouTube channel

The true nature of why Caravaggio duelled with Tomassoni is not known. Some speculate it was related to Courtesan Fillide Melandroni, who Caravaggio painted this portrait of between 1597-99. Tomassoni was apparently her pimp. This painting was destroyed in Berlin in 1945.

Those who enjoy this episode may also be interested in tracking down Graham-Dixon's new book Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane, which was released on July 1st 2010.

One thing I really enjoyed about this episode was how Graham-Dixon discussed the influences of Caravaggio on subsequent artists. I was shocked to hear that French painter Nicholas Poussin held such a deep hatred of Caravaggio that he believed he was sent to the world to destroy all painting. I further read that Poussin's response to Death of The Virgin was to angrily shout:

"I won't look at it, it's disgusting. That man was born to destroy the art of painting. Such a vulgar painting can only be the work of a vulgar man. The ugliness of his paintings will lead him to hell." 

Poor Poussin! It is probably safe to say the emotional gravitas of Caravaggio is what enamours him to modern viewers, and likely what disgusted Caravaggio's contemporary critics. Not every artist agreed with Poussin though, as we know both Rubens and Rembrandt were very fond of the Italian Master.

I simply loved the Graham-Dixon's link with Gericault's Raft of The Medusa, which was as much a protest over the style of Poussin's era as it was a tribute to Caravaggio.

Similarly, the equally emotive Jacques-Louis David seems to be more comfortable with Caravaggio's influence, as evidenced in the powerful Death of Marat. This perhaps explains why this painting was a taboo subject for so long.

 You can listen to Part 5 directly in the player below, or download the .mp3.

BBC Radio 3 - Reflections of Caravaggio Part 5/5

This brings the Reflections on Caravaggio series to an end. Thanks again to R. Greaves from Matters Arising for bringing it to my attention!

The Essay - Reflections on Caravaggio Part 4

Detail from Caravaggio's Death of The Virgin

The fourth episode in the BBC Radio Reflections on Caravaggio series is now available. It takes a slightly different tack to previous episodes, looking at the modern perception of Caravaggio, 400 years on. It is presented by Catherine Puglisi, Professor of Baroque Art at Rutgers University, New Jersey, and author of the Phaidon volume Caravaggio

One of the paintings described by the Professor is the infamous Death of The Virgin. This work has its own folklore, which added to Caravaggio's notoriety. It was rejected by its original patrons, and then bought by Vincenzo Gonzaga, the Duke of Mantua - following a recommendation by none other than Peter Paul Rubens. The painting now resides at The Louvre in Paris.

One persistent, but unverifiable rumour was the dead Virgin was painted from a drowned prostitute. Whilst this is more likely to be hyperbole than fact, it can be understood how such a story would stoke the fires of the imaginative and the indignant.

You may listen to Part 4 directly from the player below, or download the .mp3

BBC Radio 3 - Reflections of Caravaggio Part 4/5

On a related note, those who have listened to the series thus far would have caught mention of the exhibition, Caravaggio e Caravaggeschi a Firenze (Caravaggio and his followers in Florence), which has now made its way from Rome to Florence, and will continue until October 2010. Here is a nice video from this exhibition, courtesy of Tuscany Arts. There is also a delightful Photo Set which can be viewed here.

The Essay - Reflections on Caravaggio Part 3

The Taking of Christ is beautifully explored in Part 3 of Reflections on Caravaggio

The third instalment of the BBC Radio's Caravaggio specials on The Essay take a closer look at two well known Caravaggio works, one of which as been in the news recently. This episode is presented by Ben Quash, Professor of Christianity and the Arts at King's College London, and centres on the religious paintings The Taking of Christ and The Calling of St Matthew

I personally found it the most beautifully written of the Caravaggio 'Essays' presented to date. It is sometimes troublesome to read about depictions of divinity, particularly if the author is using the work to impart their own spiritual beliefs. I can gladly report that Mr Quash does no such thing, but still manages to imbue his description with the emotional wonder art lovers of any faith have when beholding Caravaggio. 

The Calling of St Matthew takes the New Testament into a seedy Roman tavern, yet still manages to emanate a sense of solemnity and awe through Caravaggio's dramatic use of chiaroscuro (light and shadow)

You can listen to Mr Quash's presentation in the player below, or download as .mp3.

BBC Radio 3 - Reflections of Caravaggio Part 3/5

The Essay - Reflections on Caravaggio Part 2

Madonna di Loreto is the focus of this second part in the BBC Radio 3 Series

The second part in this BBC Radio 3 series on Caravaggio is presented by Professor Sybille Ebert-Schifferer, Director at the Bibliotheca Hertziana, Max Planck Institute in Rome, and author of the monograph, 'Caravaggio - Sehen - Staunen - Glauben' [See - Be Amazed - Believe]. Her dedication to getting to the truth about Caravaggio through scholarship, as opposed to biased accounts and hearsay, is particularly refreshing.

If you also find Sybille's approach intriguing, you may be interested in tracking down some of her publications,  which include the English language work Still Life: A History

Unlike the initial episode, this focuses on one major work and did not require a video accompaniment! You can stream directly from the player below, or download the .mp3.

BBC Radio 3 - Reflections of Caravaggio Part 2/5

The Essay - Reflections on Caravaggio Part 1

Narcissus. c.1597-99. Some scholars do not agree with the Caravaggio attribution

Caravaggio  has been quite prominent in the news recently, with the alleged identification of his bones to the retrieval of a stolen copy of his work. Today we have a special treat. In a new series on BBC Radio 3, five experts will be presenting an in depth look at the life and work of the famed Milanese painter.

 The first episode is presented by John Gash, Senior Lecturer in the History of Art at Aberdeen University.

This recording is not officially available as a podcast. It is presented here courtesy of a generous Art lover.  You can listen from the player below, or download the .mp3.

A very special thank you to Robert Greaves from the lovely Art + History blog Matters Arising, for letting me know about this series(and clarifying start times!).

BBC Radio 3 - Reflections of Caravaggio Part 1/5

Edit: The detailed descriptions of individual works in this series of radio programs makes a quite compelling case for the inadequacy of audio as an effective medium for describing the visual arts. I've assembled this video version of the program for those who would like to see the works as they are being described. Enjoy!