In order for the light to shine bright, darkness must be present (Bacon, F, 2013), this is exactly what both Caravaggio and Vermeer understood that other artists of their time did not and what made them such reputable artists known today. This essay will discuss key similarities and differences in Caravaggio’s and Vermeer’s paintings in terms of subject matter, technique and use of light.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was an Italian artist based in many areas such as Rome, Malta, Maples and Sicily. Born on 28 September 1571 then later passed away on 18 July 1610, Caravaggio’s active years in his profession were 1593 to 1610 (Caravaggio Foundation, 2002). Baroque School considered Caravaggio to be the first great representative. Orphaned at age 11, Caravaggio was apprenticed to the painter Simone Peterzano of Milan for four years. Around 1588 to 1592, Caravaggio moved to Rome and worked as an assistant…show more content… This is very similar to what Caravaggio would do to show his understanding of light. In Supper at Emmaus Jesus’s face has a very similar approach, Caravaggio used lighter colours on the left side and darker colours for the right side of his face to depict shadows and highlights that light creates. Unlike Caravaggio, Vermeer used quite a diverse range of colours in his paintings, he implemented a lot of primary colours whereas Caravaggio would use a lot of earthy tones such as greys in replacement to blue tones. For example in the Girl with the Pearl Earring although it is hard to see in the turban Vermeer hasn’t only used blues, he has implemented greens, browns and greys that helps to create the use of dark and light (Mencher, K, 2012). This is something Caravaggio was not known for