Caravaggio's Masterpieces in Rome's Churches Accessible During Museum Closures

While museums and exhibitions remain closed in Rome, Caravaggio's works are still on view in the city's churches, offering an alternative art experience. The artist's life and legacy are traced through locations such as Ponte Sant'Angelo, Lungotevere Tor di Nona (site of former prisons where he was detained), and via di Pallacorda (where he killed Ranuccio Tomassoni in 1606). His studio was at vicolo del Divino Amore 19. Key churches housing his paintings include San Luigi dei Francesi (Cappella Contarelli with the cycle of Saint Matthew, 1599-1602), Santa Maria del Popolo (Crocifissione di San Pietro and Conversione di San Paolo, 1600-01), and Sant'Agostino in Campo Marzio (Madonna dei Pellegrini, 1604-06). Vittorio Sgarbi compared Caravaggio's trajectory to that of Maradona. The churches are open to visitors with restrictions: San Luigi dei Francesi allows groups and audioguides; Santa Maria del Popolo permits only individual visits without guides. Sant'Agostino also houses Raphael's fresco Il profeta Isaia (1511-1512).