A canvas travels

Art travelling the world over is a connoisseurs’ delight

- VAISHALI DAR

Among a few names associated with the chiaroscuro style of painting, an artistic technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark areas to create a sense of depth and drama, Leonardo da Vinci was credited with using this technique to its full potential during the late 15th century. Vinci was not alone.

Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was also known for his revolutionary use of light and shadow, and transformed the visual language of Baroque art with his emotive realism and masterful technique.

Now for those looking for a slice of these masterstrokes, you needn’t travel to Italy to experience this legacy. Caravaggio’s ‘Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy’ (as seen above) is on display in India in New Delhi. A key painting depicting his technique, which was painted around 1606 while the artist was in exile after being charged with murder, is on display till May 18.

It is the first time that the artist’s painting is being displayed in India, brought by the Cultural Centre of the Italian Embassy, in partnership with The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Saket.

“It’s the first Caravaggio painting in India. This landmark exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience the mastery of one of the Baroque era’s most influential artists. Caravaggio upended the traditional canons of his time, introducing in his works models from real life and a cinematic lighting”, says Italian Ambassador Antonio Bartoli.