Why Caravaggio Painted His Own Beheading

Подробнее о видео

David with the Head of Goliath is one of Caravaggio’s most unsettling paintings — not because of its violence, but because of what it reveals about the artist himself.

At first glance, it may look like a biblical scene. But if you look closely, you'll notice something shocking: both David and Goliath carry the features of Caravaggio. One young and wild, the other defeated and decapitated.

This is more than a painting. It’s a double self-portrait — and perhaps the most psychological work of his entire career.

Why did Caravaggio paint himself like this? Was it a confession, a punishment, or a final attempt to be forgiven?

And there's one more detail: if you zoom in on the sword, you’ll see a Latin inscription — H-AS OS. A code that might hold the key to the whole painting.

► Shop "David with the Head of Goliath" (1609-10) at -
► Shop Art Prints & Canvas at -
► Shop Fine Art Phone Cases at -

→ Follow us on Instagram:
→ Contact: hello@inspiraggio.com

0:00 Introduction
0:59 The Artist’s Life at the Time
2:20 Psychological Analysis of the Characters
5:38 The Inscription on the Sword
6:55 Outro

#arthistory #art

Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.