Bartolomeo Manfredi died on this day in 1622. He was only 40 years old. One of the closest followers of Caravaggio, Manfredi is known for his faithful adoption of his mentor’s naturalism and tenebrism. He favored many of the same themes as his counterpart, including genre scenes and religious works, so much so that many of his works have been erroneously attributed to Caravaggio. Born near Mantua, Manfredi began his career in Milan, Cremona, and Brescia and moved to Rome around 1605, remaining there until his death. Sadly, his Concert and Card Players were destroyed in the 1993 bombing of the Uffizi Gallery.

Reference: John J. Chvostal. “Manfredi, Bartolomeo.” Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press. Web. .

Further Reading: Caravaggisti by Didier Bodart; Caravaggio And His Legacy by J. Patrice Marandel (2012).

Bacchus and a Drinker, ca. 1600-10, Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, Rome.

Cupid Chastised. 1605-10, Art Institute, Chicago.

Gypsy Fortune Teller, 1616, Institute of Arts, Detroit.

Tribute Money, ca. 1610-20, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.

Tags: 17th Century, art, art history, Baroque Art, Caravaggio, caravaggisti, christian art, history, Italy, manfredi, painting, religious art, Rome, tenebrism