The Musicians by Caravaggio

Short video description: The Musicians (1597) by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio is a demonstration of the artist’s ability to reference artistic tradition while also countering it. Caravaggio draws on the genre of concert scenes and the widespread understanding of allegorical symbols, merging them with his personal experience at the court of his patron, Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte, his focus on naturalism, and a sensual tone. This fusion of the traditional with the innovative creates an inviting, life-like scene that invites the viewer in and evokes a response from them.

Running Time: 5:16 minutes

By Justin Schwartz, Manon Bey, and Shannon Zipfel