Martyrdom of Saint Ursula 1610

Caravaggio rendered *The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula* in Naples using oil paints, likely applied with brushes and perhaps his own fingers. The darkness, or tenebrism, is achieved through layers of dark pigment, built up to create deep shadows. The figures emerge from this gloom, highlighted by stark contrasts which allow the artist to model their forms and draw our eyes to key areas, like the Saint’s face. Caravaggio’s technique involved both careful planning and improvisation, adjusting his composition as he worked. The very handling of the paint, sometimes thick and textured, sometimes smooth and blended, contributes to the drama and immediacy of the scene. This approach, emphasizing direct observation and emotional impact, was a departure from earlier Renaissance ideals of idealized beauty. Caravaggio brought a gritty realism to his religious subjects. *The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula* stands as a testament to the power of material and technique in conveying human experience.