Caravaggio and European Realism.

8 Oct 2005-15 Jan 2006. This exhibition at the Museu Nacional dArt de Catalunya in Barcelona focuses on the influence of Caravaggios art on European painting. Born in Milan in 1571, Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, is considered one of the first exponents of modern painting. He moved to Rome at the age of 20, where he found employment with the Cavalier dArpino, who initially entrusted his new apprentice with painting flowers and fruit, a genre considered inferior at the time. Only in 1595 did Caravaggio produce his first painting involving human figures. He began developing his characteristic style involving a masterly use of light and shade - in the The Martyrdom of St Matthew series of paintings in the Contarelli chapel in San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. He died after a sudden illness in 1610. Divided into ten sections, this exhibition follows the various phases of Caravaggios career: one section is devoted to his own paintings, another to Still Life. The Italian Scene takes up several sections divided geographically into Naples, Rome and Other Italian Settings, featuring Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi, Borgianni, Stanzione and Cavallino among others. Jos di Ribera, one of Caravaggios most important Spanish disciples, has a section of his own, while another is dedicated to the masters of Spanish realism, Velsquez and Zubarn. Two sections are devoted to other Spanish and European artists including La Tour, Rgnier and Terbrugghen, demonstrating the universality of Caravaggios influence. Admission 8,50 (valid for two days, permanent collections, temporary exhibitions and audioguide), under 12s & over 65s free. Tues-Sat 10.00-19.00, Sun 10.00-14.30, 25 Dec and 1 Jan closed.