Michelangelo Merisi, the master Italian painter known as Caravaggio, worked extensively in Rome. His works date from the late 16th century. He was known as a rebel due to his involvement in brawls, sword fights, and murder (he killed a man in a knife fight.) Caravaggio’s personal life was often marked by turmoil and drama, which are reflected in his paintings.

Being recognized as one of the founding fathers of modern painting, Caravaggio created spectacular, innovative paintings, as well as he pioneered the representation of religious figures in modern attitudes and clothes and the use of dramatic lighting. Combining a gritty, realistic observation of the human state, both emotional and physical, the painter trod a fine line between decorum and realism. His paintings ("Young, sick Bacchus;" "The Death of the Virgin;" "The Madonna of Loreto;" "The Madonna and Child with St. Anne;" "The Calling of St. Matthew;" etc.) are considered controversial, leaving an indelible mark on Roman art.

Some of his most famous paintings are located within Rome’s galleries and museums or decorate some churches in the city, including: Vatican Museums, Capitoline Museums, Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, and Borghese Gallery. An excellent way to experience the beauty of Caravaggio’s work is to skip the museums and visit the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi. Entrance to churches is free from admission, so you don’t have to spend your travel budget on admiring his magnificent masterpieces. Like all churches in the Eternal City, the painting is illuminated by placing a euro in the slot. But, you don’t have to pay for it, you can just wait a second and somebody else would pay for it.