Born Michelangelo Merisi in 1571, in Caravaggio, Italy, he would assume the name of his birthplace.

By 1592, Caravaggio was notorious because of his controversial painting methods. Certain of his works were made only to be rejected by patrons on the grounds of indecorum or theological incorrectness. He aimed to make paintings that depicted the truth and he was critically condemned for the naturalism that became the Baroque style throughout Europe.

In 1606 he murdered a friend in a knife-fight and fled to Naples and Malta. He eventually settled in Naples and powerful friends, having obtained a pardon for the murder he had committed, made plans for him to return to Rome. However, the boat left without him as he was arrested, mistaken for a bandit.