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2 euro commemorative coin of the Republic of San Marino, issued in 2021 in a circulation of 54,000 copies. Dedicated to the 450th anniversary of the birth of Caravaggio. Minted at IPZS, Rome. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g.
Overse
The center of the coin depicts a stylized self-portrait of Caravaggio or a fragment of his famous painting "The Calling of Saint Matthew" (1599-1600) from the church of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. At the top is "San Marino". At the bottom is "CARAVAGGIO" and the dates "1571-2021". Mark "R". On the ring - 12 EU stars.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix (Royal Belgian Mint). It depicts a map of Europe as a single continent without internal borders - a symbol of European unity. On the left - a large denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right - a map with six thin horizontal lines. On the outer ring - 12 stars of the European Union. The band - with thin grooves, with the inscription "2 ★" repeated 6 times.
Historical context
Caravaggio (Caravaggio, real name Michelangelo Merisi, September 29, 1571 - July 18, 1610) - a revolutionary Italian Baroque artist, one of the most influential artists of Western art. Born in Milan or Caravaggio (Lombardy). In 1592 he moved to Rome, where his talent was noticed by Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte. He became famous for his dramatic style of tenebrism (chiaroscuro) - sharp contrasts of light and shadow, realism - using ordinary people as models for saints, psychological intensity. Among the famous works: a cycle of paintings from the Contarelli Chapel in San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome (1599-1600), "The Youth of Bacchus". In 1606 he killed his rival in a duel - he escaped by fleeing from Rome to Naples, Malta, Sicily. He died on July 18, 1610 in Porto Ercole at the age of 38. Caravaggio influenced Georges de Latour, Velázquez, Rembrandt.