Title: M: The Man Who Became Caravaggio
Author: Peter Robb
First published January 1, 1998
570 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780312274740 (ISBN10: 0312274742)
Rating: 3.93
Overview
Peter Robb’s M: The Man Who Became Caravaggio is a riveting biography that vividly portrays the tumultuous life of the artist who captured the dark and violent spirit of the late sixteenth century. In an era marked by ideological war and the Inquisition, Caravaggio’s brilliant feats of art and science were a provocation to a culture in a state of siege.
Known by various names, including Marisi, Moriggia, Merigi, and simply M, Caravaggio’s life was a reflection of the times he lived in. Robb’s masterful writing “re-creates the mirror Caravaggio held up to nature” with passion, panache, and singular delicacy, as Hilary Spurling wrote.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the life and art of one of the greatest painters in history.
Editoral Review
Peter Robb’s M: The Man Who Became Caravaggio is a fascinating and meticulously researched biography of the renowned Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio. First published in 1998, the book offers a comprehensive account of Caravaggio’s life and work, exploring the social and cultural context of his time and shedding light on the complex personality of this enigmatic figure.
Robb, a historian and art critic, brings his extensive knowledge of Italian Renaissance art and society to bear on this book, providing a rich and nuanced portrait of Caravaggio’s world. He draws on a wide range of sources, including official documents, letters, diaries, and contemporary accounts, to reconstruct the artist’s life and career in vivid detail.
The book is divided into three parts, each covering a different phase of Caravaggio’s life. The first part describes his early years in Milan and his move to Rome, where he gained fame and notoriety for his revolutionary style of painting.
The second part focuses on his tumultuous career in Rome, which was marked by scandal, violence, and conflict with the authorities. The final part covers his exile and eventual death in Naples, where he continued to paint until his untimely end at the age of 38.
Despite the book’s length and complexity, Robb’s writing is engaging and accessible, with vivid descriptions and colorful anecdotes that bring the characters and events to life. He has a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling that makes the book a pleasure to read.
One of the book’s strengths is its attention to the social and political context of Caravaggio’s time. Robb situates the artist’s life within the wider context of Italian society, describing the political and religious upheavals of the era and their impact on the arts.
He also explores Caravaggio’s relationships with his patrons, fellow artists, and rivals, providing insights into the workings of the art world in Renaissance Italy.
Another strength of the book is its analysis of Caravaggio’s art. Robb offers a detailed and insightful discussion of Caravaggio’s style and technique, tracing the evolution of his painting and its influence on later artists.
He also examines the themes and motifs that recur in Caravaggio’s work, such as violence, sexuality, and religion, and their significance in the context of his time.
If the book has any weaknesses, it is perhaps that Robb’s focus on the minutiae of Caravaggio’s life and work can be overwhelming at times, and may not appeal to readers who are less interested in art history. Additionally, the book assumes a certain level of knowledge about Italian Renaissance art and history, which may make it less accessible to general readers.
Despite these limitations, M: The Man Who Became Caravaggio is a compelling and informative biography that will appeal to anyone with an interest in art, history, or biography. Robb’s meticulous research, engaging writing, and insightful analysis make this book a valuable contribution to the field of Renaissance studies.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about one of the most fascinating and controversial artists of the Italian Renaissance. I would rate it 4 out of 5 stars, based on its depth of research, engaging writing, and insightful analysis.
