The Master of light Caravaggio and His Descendants, commemorating the 140th anniversary of Korea-Italy diplomatic relations in 2024, will present 57 works from the Baroque period, 10 of which are by Caravaggio. An Italian great mentioned alongside Michaelangelo and Da Vinci, Caravaggio works announced the beginning of 17-th century Baroque art. His work still amazes with its impeccable realism and use of chiaroscuro, maximizing the contrast between light and dark. With a relatively small collection of 100 works produced before his death at 38, Caravaggio nevertheless made an indelible mark on European art with his formal innovations and creative genius. This exhibition will help us understand the process by which Baroque painting came into this world. With major works carefully selected from collections such as the Uffizi Gallery, we will explore how Caravaggio's influence survived into later generations. We will also shed light on the diversity of Baroque art through the works of masters of the period such as Annibale Carracci, Caravaggio's rival, Orazio Gentileschi, and Guercino.

Artworks

Simone Peterzano Presentation of Jesus in the Temple c. 1588, Oil on canvas, 193 × 147 cm Private Collection

Michelangelo Merisi (Caravaggio) Boy Bitten by a Lizard c. 1595, Oil on canvas, 65.5 × 50 cm Private Collection

Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Guercino) Erminia Finds the Wounded Tancred c. 1619, Oil on canvas, 155.4 × 178 cm Private Collection

Michelangelo Merisi (Caravaggio) (circle of) The Incredulity of Saint Thomas c. 1601 – 1602 , Oil on canvas , 108 × 146 cm Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi

Michelangelo Merisi (Caravaggio) The Taking of Christ c. 1602, Oil on canvas applied on panel, 140 × 170 cm Firenze, Gallerie degli Uffizi