Rebel Painters Part 1: ‘Lights! Camera! Action!’ Reflections on Caravaggio’s Dark Spirit
‘The Taking of Christ’ by Caravaggio
Action:
Judas identifies Jesus to the authorities with a kiss. Caravaggio puts himself in the picture, far right side stepping into the scene, joining the action at the same moment that we walk up- he’s a witness to darkness, just like us. In his hand he lifts his only weapon, a lantern of man made light. Here is an artist who is looking to the light and reflecting light by his only means- paint and canvas- and he represents St Peter who would first betray Jesus by denying him and then go on to bring his light to the world.
Reaction:
On the other side of the painting is an opposing action: St John attempts to escape in terror and a soldier snatches him back.
John’s action contrasts with the entrance of the artist and his lantern; the point is hit home hard- piercingly so- even a sinner one thousand years after the resurrection has a better understanding of Christ than does his friend.
Reflection:
Just to make sure that we get the point, Caravaggio hits another nail in. Look at the armour (it’s impossible not to) and you’ll see there’s not a scratch on it. No self-respecting soldier wears armour as unscathed as that, polished up like a mirror maybe- Italians have always been known for their sense of style- but scratch free? Here indeed is a mirror to reflect the viewers’ own part in this act: ‘Sinner! You DID this!’ a silent voice shouts above the frozen noise of the grabbing forms forever stuck in the claustrophobic amber of this monumental moment, now reduced to a scuffle in an alley.
But it’s bigger than that, bigger than life in fact. Imagine someone gazing at this painting in a darkened chapel, lit by candles, the painting seeming to flicker and move again, light bouncing back out of the looming luminescent forms as it reminds that awe filled viewer. A new silent voice is heard: ‘Sinner, You DO this!’ And you do it every day don’t you?
Confliction:
Caravaggio has brought his multi faceted reflection on mankind’s embodiment of the polarising emotions of existence to our eyes and then directly through to our hearts. The complex duality of a coexisting light and dark soul has never been so powerfully depicted. Art offers a kind salvation for Caravaggio perhaps; eternal truths, harmony and balance and work made in the service of a man’s god by one of his own sinners, a Neapolitan street brawler, a murderer, a man who had positioned himself far from that god as he slept with men and women and prostitutes.
A cardinal’s secretary wrote about one his paintings:
‘One would say it is a work made by a painter that can paint well, but of a dark spirit, and who has been for a lot of time far from God, from His adoration, and from any good thought’
Reverberation:
In this painting Caravaggio is speaking as much to himself and reflecting upon his own torments as he is addressing his audience and us today. His is a voice that thunders and once heard it can never be forgotten.
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