Rome

Caravaggio's influence in Rome

Caravaggio's career flourished in Rome towards the end of the sixteenth Century, and artists from around Europe flocked in the following years to marvel at his influence on the Roman art scene. His unmistakable style contrasted that of the Renaissance, adopting harsh treatment of light, resulting in more tangible and dramatic depictions. Upon the artist's arrival, painters were quick to adopt the new style; Giovanni Baglione, Orazio Gentileschi, and Mario Minniti, to name a few. The transmission of the approach across the city quickly spread around the continent. 

Sacred and Profane Love

In this depiction sacred love defeating profane love, Divine Eros swoops down into the scene to interrupt an argument between the devil and cupid. The composition guides our eyes down to the base of the canvas, where the altercation occurs. Cupid is pictured looking up at the Divine Eros, with his body intertwined between his legs. To the left of the piece, the Devil gazes out at the viewer with an expression of fear. The Devil's face has been identified as a portrait of Caravaggio, to which Baglione implies his views on the master. Despite his work clearly influenced by Caravaggio's hand, featuring chiaroscuro (light and shadow), a dark setting, and graceful realisations on anatomy, Baglione condemns Caravaggio of his sinful acts, referring to his run-ins with the law.