Reuige Magdalena

autumn 1591

Flight from Milan to Rome

He had to flee Milan after a quarrel over cards ended in the death of his opponent; stopping first in Venice, he made for Rome. Other accounts date his departure to 1592, after 'certain quarrels' and the wounding of a police officer.

1592

Penniless in Rome, lodging with Pandolfo Pucci

The young artist arrived in Rome 'naked and extremely needy', with no fixed address or provision, and lodged with the miserly Pandolfo Pucci, known as 'Monsignor Insalata'. According to Bellori, he began by painting three heads a day for nominal pay for the minor painter Lorenzo Siciliano.

1593

Roman fever: six months in hospital

Caravaggio fell ill with 'Roman fever' (malaria) and spent six months in hospital between life and death. Possibly under the impression of the illness he painted the 'Sick Bacchus', his first self-portrait.

1593

In the workshop of Cesari d'Arpino

Caravaggio joined the workshop of Cesari d'Arpino, who had him paint flowers and leaves on his frescoes; there the young provincial met influential patrons and artists, among them Jan Brueghel the Elder. In the same years, after yet another brawl, he landed in the Tor di Nona prison, where he met Giordano Bruno, and soon broke with d'Arpino.

autumn 1594

Under the patronage of Cardinal del Monte

Caravaggio began working on commissions for Cardinal Francesco del Monte and moved into his residence, the Madama, where he met Galileo Galilei, Tommaso Campanella, Giacomo della Porta and the poets Marino and Milesi. The period proved highly productive for him.

1595

Refused admission to the Academy of Saint Luke

Despite recommendations from Orazio Gentileschi, Grammatica and Prospero Orsi, Caravaggio was refused admission to the Academy of Saint Luke. His chief opponent was its president, Federico Zuccaro, who put the success of his pictures down to a mere 'touch of novelty' prized by rich patrons.