Caravaggio (1571 – 1610) whose real name was Michelangelo Merisi (he was named after the small town where he was brought up), truly was a tremendous artist. I’ve just come back from spending three weeks in Italy, where I have been mesmerised by so many of Caravaggio’s paintings. It’s no wonder therefore that we have been asked to paint a number of art replica paintings of his great masterpieces.
We actually have 2 artists who specialise in Caravaggio paintings. Sergei and Alex. Sergei has been painting professionally for over 16 years and is our top Caravaggio artist. Below is his art reproduction of Caravaggio’s Head of Medusa. Having just seen the original in the Uffizi I can testify to how technically brilliant this reproduction oil painting is. Interestingly enough Caravaggio’s original painting is actually a wooden shield covered with painted canvas.
The reproduction below of Caravaggio’s Love Victorious (the original Caravaggio painting is held in Berlin, Staatliche Museen) is another Caravaggio painting by Sergei. Those who believed that Caravaggio was a homosexual interpret the figure of Love in an erotic vein: the painter’s “favourite” must have posed for him with complacent licentiousness. As a matter of fact, the splayed legs hark back to a symbolic code also used by Michelangelo to signify resurrection, victory and triumph.
I love this painting, it may not be the happiest of subject matters, where Caravaggio focuses on the culminating moment of Judas’ betrayal but it’s just so wonderfully painted that I can’t but stop and admire it.
Our second artist who hand-paints Caravaggio paintings is Alex. Alex has been painting for 10 years and charges roughly around 40% less than Sergei whose work you’ve just seen above.
This painting, the original, which is in our very own National Gallery (London) unmistakably demonstrates Caravaggio’s love for symbolism. This disciple with his arms outstretched (as if to measure space) recognizes his Lord and mimes in his gesture the shape of the cross. The basket of fruit also contains grapes and pomegranates, common symbols of Christ’s martyrdom.
The Sacrifice of Isaac was actually commissioned for a customer who wanted it painted in its original dimensions 104 cm × 135 cm (41 in × 53 in). That’s quite a big painting! Does Isaac look familiar? He has actually been identified as Cecco Boneri who has appeared as a model in numerous Caravaggio paintings. I think he also looks like the main figure in Caravaggio’s Victorious Love painting above.
Another huge painting, the original dimensions measure 369 cm × 245 cm (145 in × 96 in). It’s hard to show the size of the painting in a photo as it’s still drying in the studio. Hopefully if the customer takes a photo of it, once it’s dried and is hanging in situ in his home, I’ll be able to post it on the blog and show you how it looks.
Having seen photos of the previous commissions above, if you too would like a quote for a Caravaggio painting from either Alex or Sergei (or both!), please contact us. As with all our commissions, our Caravaggio paintings are strictly made to measure, so you can choose to have your oil replica painted to the precise dimensions that is going to suit your wall space or existing frame.
We’d love to hear from you! If you have a question, something to add or would like a quick quote, please leave a comment.
We’re a fine art reproduction company called Fabulous Masterpieces that solely concentrates on painting museum quality art reproductions onto canvas. We’ve even produced a magazine on the topic to help you out if you want to learn more about fine art copies. Just click on the image above.
Bye for now x
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