Lecture by an Italian Art historian on Caravaggio in collaboration with the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre. 

This lecture, Inside Caravaggio, offers a comprehensive exploration of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s life, artistic revolution, techniques, and legacy. Beginning with an analysis of his tumultuous biography, we trace Caravaggio’s early years in Milan, his undocumented period (likely in Venice), and his emergence in Rome amidst an artistic and religious transformation at the turn of the 17th century. We examine how Caravaggio’s groundbreaking naturalism and psychological depth resonated with new visions of faith and human vulnerability. Comparing him to revolutionary figures like Picasso, Dylan, and Springsteen, we position Caravaggio as a pioneer who redefined painting by casting a raw, "human light" on reality.

The second part delves into the technical secrets behind Caravaggio's work: his use of recycled canvases, innovations in priming and preparatory drawing, and his manipulation of light and shadow to achieve dramatic effects. Through diagnostic studies of his paintings, we uncover hidden layers, abandoned compositions, and material decay that alter how we see his works today. The lesson concludes with a reflection on restoration practices, focusing on the conservation of masterpieces like Magdalene or the new attribuited Ecce homo and addressing how time, ageing, and human intervention reshape the artworks Caravaggio left behind.

Throughout, the audience is invited to understand Caravaggio not only as an artist of genius but also as a man whose inner torments, technical mastery, and rebellious spirit made his art timelessly powerful.

Speaker Bio:

Giulia Silvia Ghia holds a degree in History of Art from Sapienza University of Rome and a second degree in Restoration from the Istituto Centrale per il Restauro (ICR) in Rome. She is an expert in 17th-century artistic production, with a particular specialization in Caravaggio. Through the non-profit organization Verderame Progetto Cultura, she has long been engaged in the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage, securing private funding from Italy and abroad.

Giulia Silvia Ghia is a curator of exhibitions and the author of books, podcasts, and videos. She has served as Adjunct Professor of Italian Art History at New Jersey City University and currently teaches Conservation, Management, and Promotion of Cultural Heritage at Sapienza University of Rome, where she also sits on the Executive Board of the related Master’s program. She is a board member of the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia and a member of The Circle Italia Onlus and the International Women’s Forum, actively promoting leadership and women's empowerment. Since 2021, she has served as Councillor for Culture, Education, Sports, and Youth Policies for the First Municipality of Rome.