Masterpiece in Bengaluru: Caravaggio’s $50 million painting on display in city (photos)

Painted in 1606, the $50 million work captured Mary Magdalene’s intense spiritual ecstasy — a blend of divine rapture and human emotion.

For the first time, a painting attributed to Caravaggio — Magdalene in Ecstasy — was displayed in India at the NGMA in Bengaluru, marking a historic cultural milestone.​

Andrea Anastasio, director of the Italian Cultural Centre, said the choice of Bengaluru was personal — a tribute to the city’s energy and intellectual curiosity.

Italian Consul General Alfonso Tagliaferri called the exhibit a gesture of friendship, reflecting the growing Italy-South India cultural relationship.

Previously housed in European private collections, the painting was brought to the National Gallery of Modern Art, thanks to Italian-Indian cultural diplomacy.

Viewers witnessed Caravaggio’s signature chiaroscuro — stark contrasts of light and shadow — that transformed biblical scenes into cinematic experiences.

The NGMA welcomed art lovers, students, and first-time museum-goers, bridging centuries of Western art with local curiosity and appreciation.

A specially designed VR installation transported visitors into Caravaggio’s world, offering deeper insights into his artistry and 17th-century Rome.

The exhibit, open until July 6, left a lasting impression on Bengaluru’s cultural landscape — proving that great art knows no borders or age.