About the lecture

Does a life inform one’s art? Does it follow that a passionate, violent nature will inevitably create dramatic, even dark, artworks? The life of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was full of drama and passion and it could be argued that his art mirrored his life. Although sometimes deeply disturbing, Caravaggio’s paintings demonstrate an understanding of realism and also of faith. This lecture will analyse both the art and the man, exploring these questions and getting closer to the meaning in Caravaggio’s works.

About the lecturer

Dr Alison Barker taught History and Art History at further and higher education for over eighteen years and currently works at the University of Essex Library. She speaks widely to diverse groups on many historical and art historical topics, and has led guided tours at the British Museum and the National Gallery. Alison wrote her PhD thesis on the depiction of Saint George in art and has published work on his image in both England and Italy. She has presented Papers for the Renaissance Society of America in both Boston and Dublin. Her book, The Dissemination of Saint George in Early Modern Art has been recently published by Routledge.