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Caravaggio's Masterpiece Captivates Mumbai: A Rare Cultural Exchange
14 Oct
Summary
- Caravaggio's painting "Magdalene in Ecstasy" exhibited in Mumbai for the first time
- Exhibition showcases Caravaggio's work alongside Indian master Rao Bahadur M V Dhurandhar
- Collaboration between Italy and India celebrates cultural diplomacy and the festival of lights
On October 16, 2025, a groundbreaking exhibition titled "L'invenzione della luce (the invention of light): Caravaggio's Magdalene in Ecstasy" opens at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai. This historic event marks the first time a work by the renowned 17th-century Italian Baroque artist Caravaggio has been displayed in India.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is Caravaggio's painting "Magdalene in Ecstasy," which was rediscovered just 11 years ago in a private collection. The work, created around 1606, depicts a rapturous and even erotic spiritual trance of Mary Magdalene, a penitent prostitute and follower of Jesus Christ. Caravaggio's revolutionary use of chiaroscuro, a technique that contrasts light and shadow, imbues the scene with a striking theatricality.
Alongside Caravaggio's masterpiece, the exhibition features two paintings by the Indian artist Rao Bahadur M V Dhurandhar, whose works also explore themes of devotion and spiritual ecstasy. The juxtaposition of the Italian and Indian artworks highlights the common ground between the two cultural traditions.
The exhibition, presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai and Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai, is a testament to the growing cultural diplomacy between India and Italy. Consul General Walter Ferrara remarks, "The arrival of a Caravaggio in India for the first time is a sign of the excellent relations and trust between the two countries."
The timing of the exhibition could not be more auspicious, as it coincides with the festival of lights in Mumbai, a celebration of the city's rich cultural heritage. Curator Tasneem Mehta notes, "As in Caravaggio, the bodies in Dhurandhar's works become sites of devotion and emotion; sensual love becomes a metaphor for spiritual love."
The "L'invenzione della luce" exhibition runs until November 2, 2025, offering art enthusiasts in Mumbai a rare opportunity to experience the genius of Caravaggio and the artistic brilliance of India's own master, Rao Bahadur M V Dhurandhar.
