6th April apprenticed for 4 years in Milan to Simone Peterzano a pupil of Titian.
William of Orange Murdered by a Catholic Fanatic
Little is known of the artist's movements but he could have undertaken study visits to Venice
Caravaggio's mother dies. Biographers speak of possibile trouble in Milan. Nothing is truly certain.
After the liquidation of his inheritance (shared with his brother and sister) in the second half of the year he leaves for Rome where he finds poor hospitality with Monsignor Pandolfo Pucci from Recanati. During his stay he painted some copies of devotional images.(Mancini)
It is in this period that he seems to meet and work with the painter Lorenzo Siciliano. He has little money and no fixed address. Around this time he also works for the painter Antiveduto Grammatica.
Constrution of the Haarlem Muncipio (northern mannerism)
It is in this period that he enters the bottega of Giuseppe Cesari il Cavalier D'Arpino where he works primarily as a still-life painter. In the 'Ospedale della Consolazione' after being kicked by a horse or for malaria. He apparently gives the Prior some paintings.
Cardinal Francisco Maria del Monte ambassador of the Granduke of Tuscany in Rome receives the painter in Palazzo Madama. His career as an independent painter starts gaining ground. Befriends Propero Orsi.
Works mainly for Cardinal del Monte but also does some private work.
Caravaggio's troubles with Roman law commences. Well protected by Del Monte.
Arrested for illegally carrying a sword.
In July he obtains his first public commission: the story of Saint Mattew with the Calling and the Martyrdom for the Contarelli chapel in the church of 'San Luigi dei Francesi'. Frequents the courtesan Fillide Melandroni.
Diego Velazquez born in Seville
Unveils the Contarelli laterals his first great public success. Attracts other prestigious commissions including that of the Cerasi chapel in open competition with Annibale Carracci. Wounds a man's hand with a sword and assaults another in two separate
Rubens Goes to Rome
Contracted the Death of the Virgin in June. Accused of assault. Paid for the Cerasi Chapel in November even thought he seems to have not delivered the paintings.
The Altarpainting of St Mathew for the Contarelli Chapel is refused and bought by Vincenzo Giustiniani. Caravaggio commences work on the second version.
Dutch colonies expand to Indies
In August he and some of his artist friends are accused of libel for having defamed the painter Giovanni Baglione. He is by now one of the most famous artists in the city.
Reference for a painting in Tolentino. Again arrested for carring weapons. Defendant in a case where a waiter accused him of having insulted him and having thrown a plate of artichokes at him.
In summer he assaults the Norary Mariano Pasqualone over a woman called Lena. Lena was Caravaggio's model for the Madonna di Loreto and other works. Caravaggio eludes arrest by fleeing to Genoa. His return to Rome is negotiated and finally signalled
Shakespear wrote 'King Lear' and 'Machbeth'
Receives final payment for the ' Madonna dei Palafrenieri'; which is withdrawn from Saint Peter. On 28 May in a duel Caravaggio kills Ranuccio Tomassoni. For this crime he has to go in hiding. Will surface in Naples in October.
Rembrandt born
In January he is paid for the 'Seven Acts of Mercy ' for the Pio Monte della Misericordia in Naples. In July he settles in Malta under the protection of the Knights of the Order of St John.
In July is knighted to the Order of Malta but shortly after imprisoned in Fort Sant' Angelo after being involved in a tumult. In October he escapes dramatically to Sicily. He surfaces in Siracusa where he executes the ' Burial of Saint Lucy'.
His escape between Messina Palermo and Naples continues; uppon his arrival in Naples he is assaulted and hurt in the face.
Recovers at the Palace of the Marchesa di Caravaggio Naples. Paints the 'Martyrdom of Sant' Ursula'. Papal pardo is imminent and Caravaggio leaves Naples for Rome. His sea voyage is disastrous. He is first mistakenly imprisoned at Palo and then dies