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The hostility Caravaggio portrayed in his paintings often alluded to the turmoil he endured in his personal escapades. His aggressive disposition was more often than not the inspiration of his work. Most of his paintings were indirect depictions of events that happened throughout his lifetime and/or the attitude expressed when the works were created. The "feverish, skyless" Caravaggio was a "violent masochist" at heart; his willingness to receive and administer pain was the "central …

…his bouts of assault, murder, and molestation. Though these actions were lurid and depraved, they were the fuel needed to ignite his artistic flame. If these occurrences wouldn't have happened Caravaggio's art would never have been so realistic and painterly. Death seemed to be the only "structure and meaning in his life (Sohm)." Though he feared it, he was also enticed by its allure and mystery. Mortality was the very essence of his art (Sohm).