As well as a scofflaw and murderer, 17th-century Italian painter Caravaggio was one of the most thrilling, and ground-breaking, artists in Italy. And his paintings—which changed Italian art history forever—tell the fascinating stories, and hint at the personal torment, behind the artist. 

So here are a few of our favorite Caravaggio paintings in Italy. Because this Baroque bad boy has such a fascinating life story, we’ve organized our list according to when he did them… and what his motivations might have been. Born in 1571, Caravaggio grew up in Caravaggio, Italy, just outside of Milan.