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"Boy Bitten by a Lizard" (1593-1594) is a captivating work by the Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. The painting portrays a young boy recoiling in shock and pain as his finger is bitten by a small lizard concealed within a bunch of fruit and flowers. The composition is striking for its intense realism and emotional immediacy, characteristic of Caravaggio's style.

The boy's face is twisted in a grimace, lips parted as though caught mid-gasp, with wide eyes that convey a sudden, visceral reaction. His curly hair falls around his boyish face, and he is adorned with a loose, white shirt. The dramatic tension is amplified by the stark contrast between light and shadow—hallmarks of Caravaggio's tenebrism technique. His use of chiaroscuro, the sharp juxtaposition of light and dark, not only highlights the boy's features but also infuses the scene with a dramatic intensity.

In the foreground, the still life of fruit and flowers is rendered with meticulous detail. The arrangement includes brightly colored flowers, glossy cherries, and pale, fleshy peaches, alongside the small, sinister lizard that has caused the boy's distress. This juxtaposition of beauty and pain is a recurring theme in Caravaggio’s work, emphasizing the transient nature of life and the inevitability of suffering.

The original "Boy Bitten by a Lizard" by Caravaggio is found in two versions: one is housed in the National Gallery in London, and the other is at the Fondazione Roberto Longhi in Florence. The painting is an important work in Caravaggio's early career, created during his formative years when he was refining his technique and thematic concerns.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610) was a revolutionary figure in the Baroque era, known for his realistic observation of the physical and emotional aspects of human life. His work marked a significant shift from the idealized representations of the Renaissance to a more grounded, humanistic portrayal of subjects, leading to the development of Baroque painting.

"Boy Bitten by a Lizard" fits into Caravaggio's oeuvre as an early example of his genre paintings, where he often explored scenes from daily life with a dramatic, almost theatrical use of lighting and composition. This work showcases his burgeoning mastery of chiaroscuro, which he would continue to develop and perfect in his later, more famous works.

Noteworthy details of the painting include the subtle symbolism and the meticulous attention to texture and form. The juxtaposition of the beautiful fruits and the sudden pain of the boy hints at themes of temptation and the unpredictability of life. Furthermore, Caravaggio's skill in capturing the translucence of the boy's skin, the glistening juice of the fruit, and the iridescence of the flowers demonstrates his exceptional talent in rendering the material world with breathtaking realism.

Overall, "Boy Bitten by a Lizard" is a testament to Caravaggio's innovative spirit and his profound influence on the trajectory of Western art. This painting not only highlights his technical prowess but also his ability to evoke complex human emotions through simple, yet deeply resonant, imagery.