Caravaggio and the Creation of Modernity

In this highly original study Troy Thomas examines Caravaggio's life andart in relation to his most profound achievement: the creation of modernity.

He focuses on the inherent tensions, contradictions and ambiguities inCaravaggio's art - key areas often ignored by other experts. Structured thematicallyand chronologically, the book begins with an in-depth look at theartist's early life and works, which establish and refine his realism, his darksettings and his subtle and clever ambiguity of genre and meaning. Itdescribes his mature religious works that eschew the theatrical stock posesand expressions of previous art.