The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew
Caravaggio · 1600
Why it's great
An attacker raises his sword over Saint Matthew as he lies on the floor, while people scatter in shock, and an angel hands down a palm branch. Caravaggio painted it in 1600, and he painted himself in the crowd at the back.
Where to see it
📍 San Luigi dei FrancesiRome, Italy
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Caravaggio was an Italian painter born in 1571, whose real name was Michelangelo Merisi. He painted dramatic scenes lit by a strong beam of light with deep shadows and used ordinary people as models. He had a violent temper, had to flee Rome after a fight, and died in 1610.
