Caravaggio's delight in optics

Caravaggio reset the course of art history with his hyper-real depictions of religious scenes in contemporary settings.

But how faithful were Caravaggio's paintings to reality?

International scholar John T. Spike argues that, aided by the new technology of optics, Caravaggio deliberately reworked select elements of his paintings, such as the scale of hands, the sharpness of leaves, or the way figures overlap.

In this way, he skillfully orchestrated optical illusions that created the immediacy and visual impact for which his paintings are justly celebrated.

This fascinating subject will be discussed by Dr Spike in a public lecture called Caravaggio And Optics on Tuesday at 6.15 p.m. at Gateway Hall E, the University, Tal-Qroqq.

The public may reserve a seat against a donation of Lm3 or Lm5 and in this way assist the Caravaggio Studies Programme and the Caravaggio Specialised Library.

Cheques are to be made payable to the Director of Finance, University of Malta.

They are to be addressed to Keith Sciberras, Department of History of Art, Faculty of Arts, or handed in on Tuesday.

The lecture is organised by the Caravaggio Studies Programme at the Department of History of Art, University of Malta and is supported by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti.  

For further information contact stephania.buttigieg@um.edu or keith.sciberras@um.edu.mt.