Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (born 29th September 1571; died July 1610 aged 38 years)

with Peter Van Breda

The talk will be focused on an individuality who clearly ushers in a new form of art consciousness, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. His colourful but also controversial life unfolded at the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th centuries. He was plagued by extreme behavioural episodes, his daily life was often so overshadowed by dark deeds that he found himself a fugitive on the run for most of his life. He carried though within himself the remarkable ability to paint living scenarios, mostly biblical themes, in an outstanding manner, both beautiful but often shocking. The events he paints arise out of wells of darkness but are then highlighted by shafts of light; they take place in front of you as if happening on the sidewalks of our everyday life.

In 1969 Peter had the blessing of being introduced to an anthroposophist who became a lifelong friend, Dr Jan C Louw. One afternoonarly in their friendship he enquired whether Peter had ever heard of Rudolf Steiner. After an hourlong conversation, Peter knew for certain that Rudolf Steiner and the unfolding gift of Anthroposophy would become the forefront impulse of his life. Soon he was on his way to Emerson College where he felt how a transformative seed of becoming had entered into his destiny. One gift was the two-week-long initial course given by William Mann, a devoted art historian. As the course unfolded Peter began to recognise that art through the ages was, amongst many other things, a direct indication of the phases of consciousness through which we have evolved. History of Art has remained an nnovative companion for him for over 50 years.