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Church of Saint Louis the French

Church of Saint Louis the French

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Why such a fuss over a simple chapel? That’s what you might be asking yourselves as you stand here before the Church of Saint Louis the French. You see the throngs of people jostling for position, eager for a glimpse inside. The object of their fascination? Three paintings by the Baroque master Caravaggio himself. The Church of Saint Louis the French stands as a beacon of French presence in the heart of Rome. It was built between 1518 and 1589, a project personally supported by no less a figure than Catherine de’ Medici. She even donated property to ensure its completion. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Saint Dionysius the Areopagite and, of course, King Louis IX of France. But let us return to our artistic pilgrimage. Step inside, and let your eyes adjust to the dimly lit interior. You’ll find the Caravaggio masterpieces housed in the Contarelli Chapel. These aren’t your typical, polished depictions of saints. Caravaggio was a revolutionary, choosing everyday people as his models and portraying biblical scenes with startling realism.

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