The artwork, titled “Narcissus,” is an oil painting on canvas created by the artist Caravaggio around the year 1599. It measures 110 by 92 centimeters and exemplifies both the Baroque and Tenebrism movements. The painting’s genre is a portrait, and it is presently housed in the National Gallery of Ancient Art (GNAA) in Rome, Italy.
In this evocative painting, Caravaggio depicts the mythological figure of Narcissus, who is enraptured by his own reflection in the water. The composition is characterized by dramatic chiaroscuro, a hallmark of the Baroque style, which accentuates the intensity of the young man’s gaze and his physical form emerging from the darkness. The interplay between light and shadow creates a profound sense of realism and emotional depth, inviting viewers to contemplate the themes of self-obsession and the ephemeral nature of beauty. The artist’s masterful use of tenebrism intensifies the focus on the central figure, rendering the reflection and the surrounding darkness equally compelling.
