The Moment of Caravaggio

"Seldom does one encounter a profoundly surprising yet rigorously historical reading of a very familiar work; in The Moment of Caravaggio this happens with painting after painting. Though an account primarily of Caravaggio and his circle, Fried's discussions of address, of autonomy, of interiority, and of the dispositif of easel painting, among other topics, will resonate across the field. Every scholar of early modern art should read this book."--Michael W. Cole, Columbia University"No one sees paintings better than Michael Fried, or thinks as persistently or with such philosophical depth about such seeing, about the very possibility of pictorial meaning. The Moment of Caravaggio is a spectacular, compelling addition to his oeuvre. An engrossing and often simply thrilling read, the book is a triumph."--Robert B. Pippin, University of Chicago"This is a dazzling tour de force. Michael Fried's readings of a series of Caravaggio's most fascinating and enigmatic pictures keep one turning the pages with the greatest pleasure. Fried's arguments are compelling, muscular, and graceful."--Leonard Barkan, Princeton University