The Cultural Centre of the Italian Embassy, in partnership with The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, proudly announces the historic arrival of Caravaggio’s Magdalene in Ecstasy in Delhi on the occasion of the visit of Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani and Minister for University and Research Anna Maria Bernini.

“It’s the first time of a Caravaggio painting in India. This landmark exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience the mastery of one of the Baroque era’s most influential artists. Caravaggio upended the traditional canons of his time, introducing in his works models from real life and a cinematic lighting”, commented the Italian Ambassador Antonio Bartoli. 

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610), renowned for his revolutionary use of light and shadow, transformed the visual language of Baroque art with his emotive realism and masterful technique Magdalene in Ecstasy painted around 1606 while the artist was in exile after being charged with murder, is a poignant depiction of spiritual transcendence, exemplifying his signature chiaroscuro. This technique, which heightened the emotional and physical presence of his subjects, redefined the portrayal of the human form, lending it an unprecedented sensorial depth. Despite his tumultuous life, Caravaggio’s radical approach profoundly influenced Flemish artists and subsequent artistic movements, shaping the trajectory of European art in ways that continue to resonate today.

Following the unveiling of the painting at the Italian Cultural Center in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister, the exhibition will be opened to the public at KNMA Saket from April 18 to May 30, 2025. 

The project is part of an exclusive showcase dedicated to Caravaggio’s artistic legacy and its enduring impact on global art history. It will be supported by the screening of a series of documentaries and a VR experience offering visitors a deeper and more immersive engagement with Caravaggio’s world. Alongside the masterpiece, the show will feature a curated selection of discussions, and immersive educational programs aimed at deepening the understanding of Caravaggio’s artistic contributions.

Kiran Nadar, Founder & Chairperson, KNMA, said, “Well aligned with KNMA’s mission to facilitate cross-cultural dialogue and expand access to transformative artistic experiences, this project offers a rare opportunity to our local audiences in particular, to view a Caravaggio painting, and encounter an artistic lineage that has fascinated generations of Indian artists. The arrival of ‘Magdalene in Ecstasy’ marks a significant moment in India’s engagement with Classical European Art, drawing our attention to painterly feats in easel painting in oil, the use of a dramatic chiaroscuro and mysterious lighting in their portraiture and narrative paintings.” 

Magdalene in Ecstasy was believed to be lost for centuries, its whereabouts unknown following Caravaggio’s tumultuous final years. In 2014, the painting resurfaced and was subsequently authenticated as an original masterpiece by a team of leading art historians, including renowned Italian scholar Mina Gregori. Its rediscovery was a groundbreaking moment in the art world, offering fresh insight into Caravaggio’s later works.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

About KNMA

Established at the initiative of avid art collector Kiran Nadar in 2010, KNMA is a pioneering private museum of modern and contemporary art in South Asia, with branches in New Delhi and Noida. Supported by the Shiv Nadar Foundation, the not for-profit organization produces rigorous exhibitions, educational and public-focused programs, and publications. Through its rigorous and multiple programs, KNMA emphasises its commitment to institutional collaborations and support-networks for artists and creative communities, while extending its reach to diverse audiences. The museum houses a growing collection of more than 15,000 artworks from South Asia, with a focus on the historical trajectories of 20th century Indian art, alongside the experimental practices of young contemporaries. The new standalone building of KNMA is due to open in the next three to four years, near Delhi’s Indira Gandhi international airport.

www.knma.in