Caravaggio’s masterpiece “Boy Bitten by a Lizard” exhibition opens at MFA St. Petersburg

A rarely seen work by the renowned Italian artist Caravaggio (1571–1610), known for his mastery of chiaroscuro, is set to be showcased at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida. The painting, titled Boy Bitten by a Lizard, will be the centerpiece of an exhibition featuring 40 paintings by Caravaggisti, the followers of this revolutionary artist.

Stanton Thomas, the MFA St. Petersburg’s chief curator, remarked on Caravaggio's profound influence: "It’s really fascinating to see the enormous impact of this single revolutionary artist."

The exhibition, titled “In Caravaggio’s Light: Baroque Masterpieces from the Fondazione Roberto Longhi,” draws from the collection of the Fondazione Roberto Longhi, an institution founded by art historian Roberto Longhi in 1970. Longhi played a crucial role in reviving Caravaggio’s reputation, which had diminished during a time when Baroque art was often dismissed as overly dramatic and in poor taste. Through meticulous research, Longhi not only recognized the emotional depth of Caravaggio’s work but also reattributed many pieces to him, effectively reviving his legacy.

While Longhi was rehabilitating Caravaggio's status, he and his wife, art historian Anna Banti, amassed a collection of forgotten masterpieces. This collection, while technically accessible to the public in Florence, has remained largely unseen by American audiences. The last time Boy Bitten by a Lizard was exhibited in the U.S. was in 2012, and before that, it hadn’t been seen since 1940. The Longhi collection has never had a dedicated showing in the U.S., making this exhibition particularly special.

There is another version of the painting at London’s National Gallery, but this exhibition offers a rare chance for American audiences to experience the artwork without traveling abroad. Thomas described the painting's emotional impact: “We’ve all had that moment where something really uncomfortable suddenly happened to us. The young man’s reaction—pulling his shoulders back and recoiling—captures a look of shock and pain that resonates even centuries later.”

The dramatic composition is enhanced by Caravaggio’s signature use of light. The figure emerges from the shadows, with a striking contrast between the dark background and the pale skin, creating a sense of luminosity. Additionally, the still life elements, including the hidden lizard and the exquisite vase, contribute to the richness of the scene.

The MFA St. Petersburg exhibition will feature at least two original Caravaggio paintings. Alongside Boy Bitten by a Lizard, there will be two copies of Boy Peeling Fruit, an earlier work believed to have been painted multiple times while Caravaggio was training under Giuseppe Cesari. One version will be on loan from a private collection in Rome, while the other is part of Longhi’s collection. Initially thought to be an original by Longhi, the latter is now considered a copy, although there is a debate over its authenticity.