The life and work of Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio, (1571–1610) is more fascinating than that of almost any other artist of his time. He overcame the conventions of the Renaissance. He was not interested in ideal beauty and the exaggeration of reality. His masterful use of light and shadow, as well as the revolutionary use of sacred and profane themes, renewed painting and made him a pioneer of the Baroque.