Toledo museum hosting Caravaggio exhibit

TOLEDO — The Toledo Museum of Art will present a special exhibition, "The Brilliance of Caravaggio: Four Paintings in Focus," beginning Jan. 20 until April 14. The show pairs four iconic paintings by the renowned Italian artist Caravaggio with four works in the TMA's collection by Italian, French, Dutch and Spanish artists who found inspiration in Caravaggio's technique and subject matter, a release from the museum states. "The Brilliance of Caravaggio" is the first assembly of four Caravaggio paintings in the United States in more than a decade and marks just the second showing of the artist's work at the TMA. "The exhibition presents visitors with the rare opportunity to compare, in person, the masterful art of Caravaggio with the paintings of artists who sought to emulate his compelling realism," the release states. Caravaggio paintings in the exhibit include: • "The Cardsharps" (ca. 1595), one of Caravaggio's earliest and most highly regarded endeavors.• "The Musicians" (1597).• "Saint Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy" (ca. 1595-96).• "Martha and Mary Magdalene" (ca. 1598). The paintings featured from the TMA collection include:• Valentin de Boulogne's "Fortune Teller with Soldiers" (ca. 1620).• Jusepe de Ribera's "Portrait of a Musician" (1638).• Hendrick ter Brugghen's "The Supper at Emmaus" (1616).• Artemisia Gentileschi's "Lot and his Daughters" (ca. 1636-1638). Admission to the exhibition is $10 per visitor, and free for TMA members. A public tour will be led by Lawrence Nichols, TMA curator emeritus, at 2 p.m. Jan. 20; the tour costs $10 for nonmembers, and is free for members. The museum will also host a free lecture series on Caravaggio, featuring guest speakers. Registration is required for lectures at toledomuseum.org, where more information can also be found.