5 Caravaggisti You Need to Know

1. Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi

The first Caravaggisti on this list is actually two—father Orazio and daughter Artemisia Gentileschi. The role that Caravaggio (1571–1610) played in their careers is fundamental as it was different.

Much older than Caravaggio himself, Orazio Gentileschi was an established artist in Rome when Caravaggio began to make his mark on the art scene. Orazio’s early work, often collaborative, was primarily embellishing the many aristocratic residences and churches of Rome. After meeting Caravaggio, Orazio transformed his style and his art blossomed. The featured image, representing the myth of Cupid and Psyche, shows how Orazio used an evidently Caravaggesque setting. The out-of-frame light shines over the very detailed features of the main characters, who are emerging from a dark background.

By contrast, Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–c. 1656) took inspiration from Caravaggio in her early years, but she then evolved her style to make a mark of her own on the Baroque scene. Artemisia was one of the most accomplished and talented artists of her generation. She was active primarily across Italy (in the courts of Rome, Naples, and Florence), as well as a short spell in England at the court of Charles I.

A contemporary of Caravaggio, she often used the same focus on characters and relatively sparse dark background. She favored representations of Biblical episodes, such as the story of Judith slaying Holofernes. In the image above, Judith’s servant is wrapping Holofernes’s severed head in a cloth.

2. Georges de La Tour

French Baroque painter Georges de La Tour (1593–1652) is best known for his candlelit scenes. His use of light is a clear reference to Caravaggism, though he did not paint exclusively in this style. A sharp contrast to other artists at the time, he remained mostly static, working primarily on commissions from royal and wealthy families in present-day Lorraine, in Northern France.

He occasionally painted some genre scenes, but his primary subjects were religious. This work depicts a young Jesus holding a candle to help his father Joseph, who is drilling a piece of wood. The painting has a noticeable reference to Caravaggesque light, though de La Tour’s depiction of characters was far more simplified than Caravaggio’s detailed style.

3. Hendrick ter Brugghen

One of the most prominent Dutch artists influenced by Caravaggio, Hendrick ter Brugghen (1588–1629) was a member of the so-called Utrecht Caravaggisti. These were a group of artists who took inspiration from Caravaggio on their travels to Rome and brought his teachings back to the Netherlands, establishing themselves in the prosperous city of Utrecht.

Although he did work on religious themes when commissioned, ter Brugghen preferred genre painting. His pieces are often of everyday people laughing, drinking and singing—much like the presented image, which shows a group of musicians playing their instruments. The painting has clear Caravaggesque qualities, particularly in the composition—with half-length figures filling the canvas—and the use of light and darkness to accentuate their features without revealing them completely.

4. Adam de Coster

A number of Flemish artists were influenced by Caravaggio. Much like the Utrecht Caravaggisti, they tended to gravitate around three main cities in modern-day Belgium: Ghent, Bruges, and Antwerp. Adam de Coster (c. 1586–1643) was a member of the Antwerp Caravaggisti. His habit of leaving many of his artworks unsigned and undated meant his name was largely forgotten until it was rediscovered in the 20th century. This makes it challenging to say with confidence what is de Coster’s work and what ought to be attributed to other Caravaggisti.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, de Coster specialized almost exclusively in genre painting. He favored musical themes, as in the painting above, which shows a group of singers reading from the same score. The use of light and the closeness of the characters to the viewer are indications of the Caravaggesque style.

5. Jusepe de Ribera

Jusepe de Ribera (1571–1652) was a highly influential Spanish Baroque painter and one of the big names in the Caravaggisti movement. He was primarily active in the court of Naples, where he established himself as a prolific, sought-after artist. De Ribera was not one for subtlety. His works, especially in his early days, are often characterized by stark gruesome scenes and hyper-naturalistic features. He doesn’t shy away from portraying cruelty and suffering, particularly in his depictions of the lives and martyrdoms of saints.

This painting is one that veers away from the religious themes but retains his signature naturalistic depictions. References to Magdalena and her overgrown facial hair are found across literature of the time, so it is likely de Ribera was commissioned to travel to the Italian region of Abruzzo where she resided to paint her. Here, de Ribera portrays her whilst feeding her baby, in a strong upright pose. The Caravaggesque out-of-frame light brings her to the fore and outshines her husband in the background.