The Musicians
1597
Caravaggio painted this intimate gathering of young musicians around 1597 for his first major patron, Cardinal del Monte. The central figure staring directly at us is widely believed to be a self-portrait of the artist himself, dressed in a classical costume. Notice the incredibly realistic, almost imperfect details—like the slightly out-of-tune lute and the crumpled sheet music—which bring a raw, unpolished life to the scene. It's a brilliant early example of his Baroque style, blending everyday realism with mythological themes.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Material
- Canvas
Location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
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