Celebrate Caravaggio’s 400th With A Roman Wine Tour

Yes, it’s been 400 years since the infamous Italian artist and party boy Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio left this world under shadowy circumstances. To toast the life and death of Rome’s rock star of chiaroscuro, the Scuderie del Quirinale is offering up a look back at his work and influence in an exhibition starting on the 20th of this month. One doesn’t have to wait that long, however, to enjoy Rome in the footsteps of this legendary painter, drinker, lover, and fighter. Not only are the many museums of the Eternal City a showcase for Caravaggio’s art, but thanks to a post by Cellar Tours Blog, we see that Rome remains a destination where his favorite pastimes (or dangerous habits, if you will) are still easily enjoyed. On top of pre-ordering our “Art + Travel Europe: Step into the Lives of Five Famous Painters”, which offers up a walking tour of Rome as the painter experienced it, we suggest stopping by the Contarelli and Cerasi Chapels to enjoy rare examples of his craft (only 80 or so certified Caravaggios exist, after all) and then dipping into Cellar Tours Blog excellent list of local wine bars to round out the experience. We also suggest, that unlike the artist, you imbibe with all moderation.

Best Wine Bars in Rome and 400 year anniversary of Caravaggio [Cellar Tours Blog]  
Cerasi Chapel
Santa Maria del Popolo
Porta del Popolo
Rome, Italy
 
Contarelli Chapel
San Luigi dei Francesi
5, Via Santa Giovanna d’Arco
Rome, Italy
 
“Caravaggio”
February 20 – June 13, 2010
Scuderie Del Quirinale
16, Via XXIV Maggio
Rome, Italy
+39 06-3996-7500
www.scuderiequirinale.it
 
Above: “Bacchus”, Caravaggio, c. 1595, courtesy of the Uffizi, Florence.