KNMA | Caravaggio Comes to India

The Cultural Centre of the Italian Embassy, in partnership with The Kiran Nadar

Museum of Art, proudly announces the historic arrival of Caravaggio’s Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy in Delhi on the occasion of the visit of Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio T ajani and Minister for University and Research Anna Maria Bernini. “It’s the first time of a Caravaggio painting in India. This landmark exhibition offers a rare opportunity to

experience the mastery of one of the Baroque era’s most influential artists. Caravaggio upended the traditional canons of his time, introducing in his works models from real life and a cinematic lighting”, commented the Italian Ambassador Antonio Bartoli.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610), renowned for his revolutionary use of light and shadow, transformed the visual language of Baroque art with his emotive realism and masterful technique. Mary

Magdalene in Ecstasy, painted around 1606 while the artist was in exile after being charged with murder, is a poignant depiction of spiritual transcendence, exemplifying his signature chiaroscuro. This technique, which

heightened the emotional and physical presence of his subjects, redefined the portrayal of the human form, lending it an unprecedented sensorial depth. Despite his tumultuous life, Caravaggio’s radical approach

profoundly influenced Flemish artists and subsequent artistic movements, shaping the trajectory of European art in ways that continue to resonate today.

Following the unveiling of the painting at the Italian Cultural Center in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister, the exhibition will be opened to the public at KNMA Saket from April 17 to May 18, 2025.

The project is part of an exclusive showcase dedicated to Caravaggio’s artistic legacy and its enduring impact on global art history. It will be supported by the screening of a series of documentaries and a VR experience offering

visitors a deeper and more immersive engagement with Caravaggio’s world. Alongside the masterpiece, the show

will feature a curated selection of discussions, and immersive educational programs aimed at deepening the understanding of Caravaggio’s artistic contributions.

Kiran Nadar, Founder & Chairperson, KNMA, said, “Well aligned with KNMA’s mission to facilitate cross-cultural dialogue and expand access to transformative artistic experiences, this project offers a rare opportunity to our local audiences in particular, to view a Carravaggio painting, and encounter an artistic lineage that has fascinated generations of Indian artists. The arrival of ‘Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy’ marks a significant

moment in India’s engagement with Classical European Art, drawing our attention to painterly feats in easel painting in oil, the use of a dramatic chiaroscuro and mysterious lighting in their portraiture and narrative

paintings. “Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy was believed to be lost for centuries, its whereabouts unknown following

Caravaggio’s tumultuous final years. In 2014, the painting resurfaced and was subsequently authenticated as an original masterpiece by a team of leading art historians, including renowned Italian scholar Mina Gregori. Its

rediscovery was a groundbreaking moment in the art world, offering fresh insight into Caravaggio’s later works.