For the first time, a painting attributed to Caravaggio is on view in India. “Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy” is currently exhibited at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in New Delhi, marking a milestone in cultural diplomacy.
From now until May 18, Indian audiences have a unique opportunity to experience a rare Baroque treasure. Mary Magdalene in Ecstasy, a powerful and sensual work attributed to Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, is on display at the KNMA, one of India’s leading private institutions for modern and contemporary art.
The initiative, supported by the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute in New Delhi, is more than an exhibition—it’s a strategic act of soft power aiming to strengthen cultural and diplomatic ties.
courtesy KNMA Museum
Art as Soft Power: Caravaggio as Cultural Ambassador
The presence of Caravaggio in India is part of a broader international effort to promote Italian heritage through high art.
While the painting’s attribution to Caravaggio has been the subject of scholarly debate, it has gained significant recognition. Art historian Mina Gregori, a foremost expert on the artist, attributed the work to Caravaggio in 2014 after discovering it in a Dutch private collection. Her research was bolstered by stylistic comparisons and the discovery of a 17th-century note linking the work to Caravaggio and Cardinal Borghese.
A Rediscovered Masterpiece with a Complex Legacy
The subject—Mary Magdalene caught in a moment of divine ecstasy—had been painted by many, but Caravaggio’s version broke new ground.
With its intimate realism and emotional depth, the painting became a benchmark for later depictions of saintly rapture.
Gregori’s attribution challenged the authenticity of the previously accepted “Magdalena Klain,” housed in a Roman private collection.
A direct comparison between the two versions was staged in 2018 at the Jacquemart-André Museum in Paris, deepening the scholarly conversation.
More recently, a third version surfaced in London and was exhibited in 2021 at the Mart Museum in Rovereto, reigniting debates around Caravaggio’s late works.
A Multimedia Journey into Caravaggio’s World
The KNMA exhibition goes beyond simply displaying the painting. Visitors can explore the artist’s turbulent life and revolutionary style through documentaries, virtual reality experiences, and a series of public lectures.
In collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute, the museum is hosting educational events that introduce local audiences to the dramatic intensity and chiaroscuro technique that defined Caravaggio’s legacy.
Caravaggio as a symbol of its artistic identity
This event is not an isolated case. It follows the painting’s prior stops in Mongolia and China, and precedes other major cultural initiatives, including the upcoming Thailand Biennale.
For India, this marks a deepening of interest in classical European art. As KNMA founder Kiran Nadar points out
This exhibition offers Indian viewers a rare chance to connect with one of the most influential figures in Western art history. It’s an experience that fosters mutual respect and curiosity between our cultures