Technique of Caravaggio

Dr Roberta Lapucci from SACI Florence in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, History of Art Programme, delivered a lecture last week on the Technique of Caravaggio Materials and Methods with particular reference to the Maltese period.

After discussing the main scholars working in this field and how this methodology of research has developed, Dr Lapucci introduced the genesis of the paintings of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

The technique was examined layer after layer from support, to priming, drawing, paint layer, varnishing and a stage-by-stage examination of the youthful period, early Roman, late Roman escape with particular concern to the later time from Naples to Malta to Sicily.

Unpublished information was shown on the Sleeping Cupid and a thorough discussion of the recent restorations was followed with an in-depth explanation of the Beheading of St John.

Dr Lapucci is a distinguished scholar who has worked and published extensively on Caravaggio and Italian seicento painting. Her main area of specialisation is the study of the techniques of the artists, having co-ordinated with Mina Gregori the landmark project on Caravaggio technique undertaken by the Fondazione Longhi in Florence. Her latest book is Caravaggio e l'ottica.