The Fortune Teller
c. 1594-1595 Capitoline Museums, Rome
About this artwork
This painting depicts a young man, a dandy from a noble family, having his palm read by a Romani woman. Unbeknownst to him, the woman is deftly removing a ring from his finger as she gazes into his hand.
Did you know?
Caravaggio's 'The Fortune Teller' is considered one of his first independent works and a foundational piece of Baroque genre painting. It broke away from traditional religious or mythological subjects, depicting a scene from everyday life with a stark realism that was revolutionary for its time. The painting's subtle narrative of trickery captivated viewers, and it was so well-received that Caravaggio painted a second version for Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte.
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The Fortune Teller
Michelangelo da Caravaggio, c. 1594-1595
