Smithsonian Scholars Label Caravaggio History's Most Antisocial Artist

In a video produced by Smithsonian scholars, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio is described as history's most antisocial artist. The video cites his complete lack of social skills, constant quarrels with friends, and violent behavior including assaulting nobles, wounding a judge, stabbing companions, and being tried for defamation and illegal weapons possession. He was arrested multiple times and imprisoned. At least once he committed murder during a brawl and was sentenced to death by decapitation. His sexual voracity—publicly known relationships with both women and men—further marginalized him. Some historians attribute his worsening mood instability to slow lead poisoning from paint pigments. Despite his misconduct, his paintings continue to inspire the world for their ability to understand the human condition. The video references architect Philip Johnson, a Pritzker Prize winner and Nazi supporter, who stated that one can easily be a bad person and a great artist.