Believed to be his last painting, Caravaggio's John the Baptist Reclining is barely known by comparison to his other pieces. This is due to disputes that arose after Caravaggio's death regarding the attribution of the piece as a work of the great master. However, due not only to the style and subject of the piece, but also facts and correspondence that add up from around the time of his death, it has become universally accepted that the piece is an original Caravaggio. In this book, for the first time the painting is set against Caravaggio's other masterpieces. Prominent art experts and critics reveal the adventurous circumstances under which this painting has travelled all over the world during the past 400 years. The essays provide a thoroughly in-depth examination of the piece, covering biographical notes on the painter, evidence for the painting's authenticity and technical analysis based on first-hand observation of the painting itself. Contents: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610). An artist between myth and reality by Bert Treffers The last Caravaggio by Claudio Strinati The testament of Caravaggio: John the Baptist Reclining by Bert Treffers A Neopolitain trace and some notes to the John the Baplist reclining by Caravaggio by Vincenzo Pacelli About the last two paintings depicting John the Baptist by Maurizo Marini Caravaggio, John the Baptist reclining. Notes on painting technique by Carlo Giantomassi oDonatella Zari ILLUSTRATIONS: 42 colour illustrations
