pencil and story: Milo Manara

colors: Simona Manara

Historical and fictionalized reconstruction of the life of Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio (1571-1610).
At the beginning of the second part Caravaggio is rescued, wounded, by a caravan of gypsies.
Here he meets the gypsy Apazia, with whom he falls in love.
Michelangelo is recognized by the Countess Colonna of Naples, who agrees to host him.
He created a couple of large works for her, then left for Malta.
Caravaggio took refuge in Valletta, at the Knights of Malta, where he created other paintings and became a member.
His bad character forced him to flee again and he reached Sicily in 1608.
Here he's reunited with Apazia and is happy for a short while.
The Knights of Malta track him down and he is wounded in the face.
The fever resulting from the wound and its infection led to his death in 1610.
Manara manages to beautifully reproduce the works of Caravaggio in his story.
He adds to the story a discreet pinch of malice, certainly present among the Roman streets of the period, exploiting his ability to represent the female body.
As always, it is a pleasure to witness his artistic skills!