In the first half of 2024, undoubtedly the most explosive news is the release of AI-generated video. Its impact on human civilization is no less than that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It can create realistic and phenomenal imagery based solely on text instructions provided by humans. In fact, AI can not only generate concrete pictures by accepting human instructions but also produce abstract images. However, humans seem less interested in generating works reminiscent of Kandinsky or Picasso; instead, they are captivated and astonished by the naturalistic and realistic portrayal of the world, a mode of perception humans have long relied upon through lens imaging.

The human observation of the world has undergone a lengthy process, evolving from supervisory to objective, and then from objective to subjective. After numerous twists and turns, we have arrived at today's rich and diverse visual styles. Yet, objectively speaking, the visually realistic and emotive effects produced by lens refraction have consistently dominated the mainstream of human vision. During the Renaissance, concurrent with the advancement of capitalist society, natural science made significant strides. Many physical phenomena, particularly optical instruments, were discovered and utilized by painters of that era. This period also unveiled a new method of observing the world: through the refraction of convex and concave mirrors, one could behold mirage-like images on white walls or canvases. This revelation marked the beginning of nearly 500 years of European figurative painting, spanning the Renaissance and the entire Baroque period.

Among the artists of this period, none was more influential than the Italian painter Caravaggio. Born in Milan, Italy, on September 29, 1571, Caravaggio played a pivotal role in shaping the Baroque School, introducing a radical naturalistic style that melded precise physical observation with vivid and often dramatic chiaroscuro techniques. His impact has endured for five centuries, resonating profoundly in Western art to this day. Despite his untimely death in an inexplicable duel on July 18, 1610, at the age of 39, Caravaggio left behind a legacy of astonishing paintings. Some regard him as a blend of angel and devil, for scant historical documentation exists about his life. Only court records from his time offer fragmentary insights into his brief yet tumultuous existence. His works, like Beacons in the Dark, continue to guide the evolution and enjoyment of human visual art.

Like Raphael, Caravaggio achieved fame at a young age, yet his later reception by subsequent generations has been mixed. Some hail him as a monument in the annals of art history, while others critique his tumultuous life, marked by drinking, gambling, fighting, and even homicide. It is perhaps best to commence our analysis of this genius by examining his works.

Caravaggio's artistic output primarily flourished in Europe around 1600. While his works bear the influence of early Renaissance and Baroque painters in terms of perspective, color, and light, they exhibit distinct characteristics that set them apart. Possessing a remarkable vitality, his works feel remarkably contemporary, devoid of any temporal disconnect. One struggles to envision the inspiration and methodology that drove him four and a half centuries ago, in an era characterized by relative scientific, technological, and cultural backwardness. Many of his innovations have no precedent in the works of his predecessors, seemingly transcending both time and space.

Foremost among Caravaggio's innovations is his masterful use of light. While the manipulation of light to render forms was not novel since the Renaissance, and the use of lenses in painting was a well-known technique of the time, Caravaggio's approach was singularly distinctive. Resembling the lighting techniques employed in contemporary Broadway productions, his dramatic interplay of light and shadow imbued his compositions with an unprecedented three-dimensionality, captivating viewers and securing instant popularity. Even today, beholders are entranced by the illusion of figures emerging from dark backgrounds, affirming Caravaggio's status as a pioneer of three-dimensional visual storytelling. His oeuvre represents an early foray into what could be considered three-dimensional artistry.

Some critics of later generations have accused Caravaggio of overreliance on optical aids in his painting, citing the absence of surviving sketches as evidence of potential deceit. However, the utility of lens apparatus in painting was not without its challenges. Clues of lens usage are discernible in Caravaggio's works, revealing his adeptness at navigating the limitations of convex and concave mirrors, such as distortion and perspective inaccuracies. In an era when imaging technology was rudimentary, he exhibited a resourcefulness akin to contemporary three-dimensional artists, seamlessly blending art and technology to craft mesmerizing, dreamlike, and lifelike images that captivated audiences.

Caravaggio's innovative painting techniques cement his status as a master of the craft. While his predecessors strictly adhered to the principle of focused perspective, Caravaggio, a consummate maverick, recognized the limitations of single-point perspective in accommodating multiple figures and scenes within a composition. Thus, he pioneered the use of scatter-point perspective, akin to modern montage, enabling the seamless integration of diverse elements within simulated lifelike settings. This compositional approach was unprecedented, positioning Caravaggio not merely as a skilled painter but as a visual effects designer avant la lettre. His innovations reverberate as groundbreaking even by contemporary standards.

Caravaggio's flair for drama is also evident in the gestures and expressions of his characters. He possessed an uncanny ability to capture the most poignant and expressive moments of a narrative, vividly portraying the micro-expressions of each protagonist. "The Incredulity of Saint Thomas" stands as a testament to his mastery, depicting Thomas delicately probing Jesus's wounds to verify his resurrection. The scene is rendered with such realism that viewers feel transported, not merely observing a painting but immersed in a theatrical spectacle. Caravaggio's predilection for dark backgrounds lends his compositions a mystical aura, akin to that of a conjurer, heightening the narrative's poignancy. Light serves not only as a tool for modeling but as a means of narrative and atmospheric enrichment, ensuring that the focal point remains sharp and the theme indelible.

To classify Caravaggio solely as a Baroque painter is to underestimate the breadth of his talent. His advent had a seismic impact on Europe, inspiring contemporaries such as the sculptor Bernini to shift their focus to sculpture. His singular painting style exerted a profound influence on the entire Baroque movement, directly shaping the trajectories of French painter Latour and Dutch master Rembrandt. Art critic Roberto Longhi posited that without Caravaggio, luminaries such as Ribera, Vermeer, Latour, Rembrandt, Delacroix, Courbet, and Manet would not have ascended to prominence. Indeed, Caravaggio's influence extends far beyond his immediate milieu.

The advent of the modernist movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a departure from the naturalism of the Baroque era. Yet, Caravaggio's legacy endured, finding renewed resonance in the convergence of technology and art. As advancements in photography technology revolutionized visual storytelling, Caravaggio's lighting techniques found new expression in cinema. Today, Hollywood blockbusters pay homage to his visual heritage, while advancements in imaging technology, from 3D to 5D, perpetuate his legacy. The advent of AI-generated imagery offers a fitting tribute to Caravaggio, whose unparalleled artistic vision unlocked new realms of human perception. His prodigious talents bridged the gap between art and technology, ushering humanity into a new era of visual exploration and expression.