Laura Gascoigne

The tumultuous story behind Caravaggio’s last painting

Even though he was on the run for murdering a pimp, the painter managed to squeeze in one final cinematic masterpiece

Behind the soldier, the artist has painted his self-portrait, head tilted as if craning for a better view: detail of ‘The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula’, 1610, by Caravaggio. © Archivio Patrimonio Artistico Intesa Sanpaolo / foto Luciano Pedicini, Napoli
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