Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio: A Life Painted in Shadow and Fire Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, more famously known simply as Caravaggio, remains one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in art history. Born in Milan in 1571, his life was a whirlwind of dramatic events—a volatile temper, frequent arrests, and a tragically short career—all interwoven with an unparalleled artistic vision that irrevocably altered the cou…