CARAVAGGIO

Those who admire the dramatic and cinematically lit art of the Italian painter Caravaggio can enjoy a current exhibition, Beyond Caravaggio running at the National Gallery, London until January 15 2017.

Wanted for murder and dying in mysterious circumstances in 1610 at the age of 38 Caravaggio has been described as “mad, bad and dangerous to know” The fact that he painted a number of homo-erotic pieces, such as fruity boys, clothed and unclothed, with come to bed eyes and no female nudes convinced many of his sexual orientation, this not detracting from the power and depth of his paintings with their boldly highlighted subjects against pitch-dark backgrounds. The exhibition shows how many talented others were influenced to the point of imitation.

Tickets are £16, including a voluntary donation. www.nationalgallery.org.uk

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