Death of the Virgin

Caravaggio's painting, The Death of the Virgin, created around 1606, depicts the Virgin Mary's death with stark realism and solemnity. The work shows the Apostles mourning in a humble setting, which some contemporaries found shocking due to its unidealized portrayal. Art historian Roberto Longhi described it as resembling "a death in a night refuge".1

The painting was commissioned for the church of Santa Maria della Scala in Rome but was removed from public view shortly after installation, likely due to its unvarnished depiction of poverty and grief. It is considered one of Caravaggio's most powerful and moving works. Caravaggio is renowned for his dramatic use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, and his naturalistic style, which influenced many artists.123