Caravaggio: The Lute Player

The Lute Player is an early work by Caravaggio, who sought above all to convey the reality and solidity of the surrounding world. We can already see the elements of the artist’s style which were to have such a widespread influence on other artists. The figure of a young boy dressed in a white shirt stands out clearly against the dark background. The sharp side lighting and the falling shadows give the objects an almost tangible volume and weight. This artwork is in the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia.