Caravaggio

This catalogue is dedicated to what is believed to be the oldest atographed version of the Cardsharps of Caravaggio, purchased in London by Sir Denis Mahon, one of the most perceptive and committed Caravaggio scholars, who gave the opportunity to display this version of the Cardsharps alongside the version from the Kimbell Art Museum in Forth Worth, Texas. The painting is one of the most famous from the artist's early years, and was an inspiration for his numerous followers. The purpose of the studies collected in the present volume is to track the various transfers of ownership of the painting, which is probably the earlier of the two version painted by the young Merisi for his patron in Rome. Also including an essay on the pictorial technique of Caravaggio by Thomas M. Schneider and complete with bibliography.