It’s a Caravaggio bonanza, which coincides with the Netflix-popular series Ripley featuring an amazing performance by Andrew Scott. The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, 1610, kindly loaned by the Intesa Sanpaolo Collection (Gallerie d’Italia – Naples), is on display alongside another late work, Salome receives the Head of John the Baptist, approximately painted around 1609–10 by the controversial Italian artist at the National Gallery, London.

The exhibition titled The Last Caravaggio remains on view until 21 July, 2024. With dimmed light and proper space to contemplate the works, the presentation of both paintings, rare letters and archival materials, is stunning.

National Gallery Director, Dr Gabriele Finaldi, said: ‘Deeply affecting and tragic in tone, Caravaggio’s last picture seems to reflect the artist’s troubled and anxious mental state as he prepared to leave Naples and return to Rome. We are grateful to Intesa Sanpaolo for lending this late masterwork to the National Gallery.’

Art history considers Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610) to be one of its most influential figures. His intensely realistic, emotionally charged paintings, characterised by dramatic lighting, strong narrative, and tremendous originality, left a lasting impression on European art that is still felt today. With Caravaggio, art imitates life and life imitates art.

Meanwhile, the Prado Museum in Madrid showcases a rediscovered painting by Caravaggio. Ecce Homo depicts Roman governor Pontius Pilate delivering Christ to the people. However, it almost went unnoticed by art experts because it was first mistakenly identified as the work of a lesser artist. The Spanish government ordered its withdrawal from a sale in 2021, only hours before it was scheduled to go up for auction with an opening bid of €1,500 (£1,280). The artwork is exhibited for the first time since its true status was confirmed three years ago. Earlier this month, the Prado said the painting was “without a doubt, a Caravaggio masterpiece”, calling it “one of the greatest discoveries in the history of art”.

While the artist continues to be shrouded in mystery, new paintings continue to emerge and his work and life continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

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Image: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, 1610, Oil on canvas, 143 x 180 cm, Intesa Sanpaolo Collection, Gallerie d’Italia – Napoli, © Archivio Patrimonio Artistico Intesa Sanpaolo / foto Luciano Pedicini, Napoli.