L’invenzione della luce
The invention of light
CARAVAGGIO
Magdalene in ecstasy
The Consulate General of Italy in Mumbai, Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mumbai along with Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum are pleased to present L’invenzione della luce-the invention of light: Caravaggio’s ‘Magdalene in Ecstasy’, showcased at the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai from 16 October to 2 November, marking the first time that the city hosts a Caravaggio’s masterpiece.
The Magdalene in Ecstasy, painted around 1606, depicts Mary Magdalene in spiritual transcendence, in a moment of divine rapture. Believed lost for centuries, the painting’s whereabouts remained unknown following Caravaggio’s turbulent final years. It resurfaced in 2014 and was authenticated as an original masterpiece by a team of art historians, including the renowned Italian scholar Mina Gregori.
Caravaggio’s painting is presented in conjunction with early twentieth century artworks by renowned Indian artist Rao Bahadur Mahadev Vishwanath Dhurandhar, depicting a story from Hindu mythology.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610) is one of the most influential artists in European art. He rejected the idealised forms of Renaissance painting and depicted his subjects with unflinching realism and heightened emotional intensity.
Rao Bahadur M. V. Dhurandhar (1867–1944) is a highly recognized Indian painter during the colonial era. Trained in the European academic realist style, he is celebrated for his portraits, illustrations of daily Indian life and depictions of Hindu mythology.
In collaboration with MetaMorfosi Associazione Culturale, Italian Embassy cultural centre
Venue: Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai
Date: 16 Oct to 02 Nov 2025
Timings: 10 am to 5:30 pm | Closed all Wednesdays and certain public holidays
Museum entry tickets applicable