The arrival of Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio has sparked a cultural buzz in Bengaluru, with the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Vasanthnagar, witnessing a 20–30% rise in footfall since June 14. Curator Subarna Patro reported over 650 visitors daily over the last weekend.
The 17th-century Baroque masterpiece, measuring 40.75 x 36 inches and valued at €50 million, was brought to Bengaluru through the efforts of Italian Consul General Alfonso Tagliaferri. After being showcased in New Delhi’s Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Tagliaferri secured permissions, funding, and specialized logistics to fly the artwork to the city in a temperature-controlled, custom case.
Despite a backlog of exhibitions at NGMA, an exception was made for the historic piece. The gallery transformed its display space to replicate 17th-century Italian architecture, with grey walls, curved arches, adjusted lighting, and humidity control to honour Caravaggio’s dramatic chiaroscuro technique.
“This is more than art — it’s a phenomenon,” said artist and critic Giridhar Khasnis. Priya Chauhan of the Museum of Art and Photography added, “Seeing this up close is a rare privilege. The painting’s emotional weight reflects Caravaggio’s own turmoil while in exile.”
While such masterworks are typically reserved for museums in Delhi or Mumbai, Bengaluru’s brush with one of Caravaggio’s last known works is being celebrated as a milestone for the city’s cultural scene.
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