The Iconicity of Caravaggio yesterday and today. Some reflections on iconic figures in contemporary culture

Abstract

This article analyses Caravaggio’s transnational omnipresence in popular culture through the lens of Stardom and Celebrity Studies in order to reflect on the role of iconic figures in our contemporary world. Understanding what makes a figure reach iconic status is essential in order to understand Caravaggio’s long-lasting popularity and influence beyond the sphere of high art. Through a series of case studies belonging mostly to fashion and street art, and through the use of work carried out by marketing and communications experts, the article explores those features that enable an artist’s impact to extend beyond his/her field, and what happens to the original meaning of that artist work when his/her image moves across different forms of cultural production. In order to address these questions, the case studies have been divided into three groups representing the key functions of iconic figures in today’s globalised culture: 1) cultural icons and branding 2) visual activism 3) populist voices.