Simon Schama is not only the host of the “Power of Art” series, but he is also a historian and art historian. He is a professor at Columbia University and a critic for “The New Yorker”. We should believe his stories because of his credibility. Schama attended Christ’s College, Cambridge and has worked at Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard. It is clear that Schama knows a lot about art and specifically, a lot about Caravaggio.
In my opinion, Caravaggio’s most interesting painting is David with the Head of Goliath because Caravaggio’s head is the head of Goliath. This painting was made with oil paints on canvas. It was a gift to Cardinal Borghese. It controls your eye because of the details and the lighting. The drama of the painting really draws you in. When I first look at the painting I see David’s face which then directs my eye to the head he is holding. The painting is supposed to be of David holding Goliath’s head but Caravaggio paints it as his own head. It is also said that this painting was Caravaggio’s plea for mercy.
I think the storyteller uses dramatic lighting and reenactments to tell his stories because it helps show how Caravaggio lived. He was kind of a shady guy so the lighting and reenactments help depict his lifestyle. Also, Caravaggio’s paintings had a dramatic use of lighting, so the video kind of does a play on that by also using dramatic lighting. They do make the story more believable because the viewer can see how Caravaggio actually acted. It truly helps one visualize his actions much better.
Question: Do you think that Caravaggio’s paintings would have such a legacy if it weren’t for his use of dramatic lighting?
No, I don't think it would be. I think the dramatic lighting had a huge impact on his work. I think he would be very ordinary if he didn't use the lighting techniques that he did. This is what made him original and interesting. It also contributed to his effect on the audience. He captured his viewers and the lighting is a reason for this.
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