In the footsteps of a genius

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio may well have been something of a Renaissance lager-lout, but there is no denying the man's genius as an artist. This year we are celebrating the 400th anniversary of Caravaggio's time spent here in Malta, through Caravaggio 400.

As part of these festivities Heritage Malta are this month organising one of their popular heritage trails in Caravaggio's honour. The trail set off in Valletta with a visit to Caravaggio's two masterpieces at St John's Co-Cathedral, the St Jerome and the Martyrdom of St John the Baptist. The latter painting is the only one to be signed by the artist.

The trail will continue at the maritime city of Vittoriosa. During Caravaggio's day Vittoriosa was the seat of the Inquisition Tribunal in Malta. The artist was actually called to witness by the Inquisition shortly after his arrival in Malta. The trail will also visit the impressive Inquisitor's Palace, where Caravaggio appeared on the witness bench to give his version of the facts.

The trail will then move on to Fort St Angelo where Caravaggio was allegedly imprisoned (or, as last month's Showtime interview subject Professor Keith Sciberras prefers: "detained in a sort of preventive custody").

Professor Sciberras also believes Caravaggio was assisted in his eventual seaborne escape by some high-ranking knight.

The Caravaggio Trail will terminate at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Valletta, with a brief overview of the different ways of interpreting Caravaggio's style by the artists who followed his artistic legacy, known as the Caravaggisti. The trail will be held on September 15, meeting in front of St John's Co-Cathedral at 9 a.m. The price for the trail is Lm5 (€11.65). Booking from Heritage Malta on 2295 4321.