A VR Journey into Italian Master Painter Caravaggio’s World: Caravaggio VR Experience Exhibition Opens in Guangzhou, China

Caravaggio VR Experience Exhibition opened on January 16 at the Multicultural Hall

on the eighth floor of the Guangzhou Library, China. Centered around an immersive

virtual reality (VR) experience, the exhibition transports visitors to Rome and Naples

at the turn of the 17th century, offering a profound exploration of the extraordinary art

and life of the renowned Italian master painter, Caravaggio.

During the on-site experience, vivid street scenes and thoughtful, humanistic

narration make visitors feel as though they were walking through Caravaggio’s life

and artistic creations, delivering an exceptional immersive encounter. At the opening

ceremony, Italian Consul General in Guangzhou, Valerio de Parolis, expressed his

hope that this exhibition would serve as a significant opportunity to showcase Italy’s

artistic heritage and become another solid pillar in promoting cross-cultural dialogue

and exchange between Italy and South China.

It is understood that Caravaggio was a celebrated Italian painter of the late 16th and

early 17th centuries. He excelled at uncovering divine brilliance in the ordinary, with his works characterized by intricate contrasts of light and shadow, vividly distinctive

figures, and compelling dramatic and theatrical effects. His unique painting style

profoundly influenced the formation of the Baroque school and left a lasting impact

on the works of later artists.

This exhibition is jointly presented by the Italian Consulate General in Guangzhou

and the Guangzhou Library. Through VR technology, visitors are invited to wear

head-mounted devices and "step directly into" the dramatically charged scenes of

Caravaggio’s paintings, tracing the sources of inspiration behind his masterpieces.

The VR films featured in the exhibition draw from books, films, and other archival

materials, vividly recreating three representative episodes from Caravaggio’s life.

Enhanced with animation and sound, the exhibition allows audiences to experience

the intimate connection between Caravaggio’s art and his life from a first-person

perspective.