Art must be truthful. This documentary is about the reformer (if I may express myself, about the revolutionary of his time) in European (rather Italian) painting of the early seventeenth century. His message to people and patrons of art – art (or rather painting) must be truthful! The beginning of the seventeenth century in Europe was associated with the Reformation in the Catholic Church and the emergence of Protestantism in the north of Europe. Italy is the south of Europe, where you do not need to take care of the roof over your head and you can eat wild fruits. Caravaggio is infected with the meaninglessness of life in the south of Europe, when people care not about daily food, but about the aesthetics of absorbing food and the beauty of things, people.
Caravaggio's rebellious spirit dictates his rules. It seems to him that modern art of the early seventeenth century has outlived itself, that it is necessary to find a new presentation of painting. He plays with light and shadows, which delights all contemporaries. It brings realism to Italian Catholic churches. His rebellious spirit seeks peace not only in painting, but also in drunken campaigns, sprees, duels. Caravaggio wants to know death in body and soul. At the end of his life, he says, “Death is not punishment.” Life is the worst punishment.” Caravaggio is an Italian artist of the early XVII century, who with his realistic painting changed the history of European art.
Another plus of this documentary is the soundtrack to it. The music is chic. You watch a movie and you feel like you've been to a classical music concert. It's not just classical music, it's waves of experience. Here you sympathize with Caravaggio, here you are happy for him, here you side with the opponents of Caravaggio. Life is waves, but Caravaggio carries everything he has experienced (his emotions) into his paintings. Art should be truthful and appeal to ordinary people.
Caravaggio was the standard-bearer of his time. Europe in the XVI century mastered the seas, oceans, America, there was a wave of Protestantism in the Catholic faith. Europe in those days was changing, and Caravaggio transports ordinary people to paintings in Catholic churches, playing with light and shadow. Caravaggio is a revolutionary in painting at the beginning of the XVII century.
10 out of 10