The art exhibition "Caravaggio. Wonders of the Italian Baroque" has received crowds of Chinese art lovers since its opening in Shanghai on Dec 12, 2023.

Co-organized by the Museum of Art Pudong in Shanghai and Galleria Borghese in Rome, the exhibition, the first Caravaggio-themed exhibit in China, features over 60 authentic works by Caravaggio and over 40 Baroque artists. It has collected six authentic Caravaggio masterpieces, including "Boy with a Basket of Fruit."

Considered a master of Baroque painting, Caravaggio (1571 - 1610) was famous for intense realism and strong contrasts in his paintings.

"The boy has a look of languor and mystery, kind of like the look on Mona Lisa's face. There are many fruits in the basket he is holding, and they all look vivid. You can even see some rotten parts on the leaves and experts can learn why they decayed based on the patterns. The painting had a profound impact on Caravaggio's later works and laid a foundation for the development of Baroque art. It is a precious masterpiece in Italy and a valuable piece in Borghese Gallery's collection. The museum is very popular in Rome and requires an early reservation if you want to get in," said Li Minkun, chairman at Museum of Art Pudong.

The Borghese Gallery is in the former home of Scipione Borghese (1577 - 1633), an art enthusiast. Construction of the home started in 1613 and was completed in 1620. It was transformed into a national gallery open to the public in 1903. Nowadays, the gallery houses the largest collection of Caravaggio and Bernini works in the world.

The exhibition will run until April 12, 2024.