Boy with a Basket of Fruit (Fanciullo con canestra di frutta)
Painting on canvas • Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Caravaggio)
Style & Movement
Baroque / Early Baroque Naturalism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; features include chiaroscuro, naturalistic detailing, and smooth glazing techniques.
Creation Period
c. 1593-1594
Dimensions & Format
70 cm × 67 cm (28 in × 26 in); Square/Portrait format
Subject Description
A young man (likely Mario Minniti) holds a heavy wicker basket filled with seasonal fruits including grapes, peaches, and figs. The composition explores the contrast between the youthful beauty of the boy and the decaying, realistic nature of the fruit (vanitas), set against a dark, dramatic background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; well-preserved within a museum setting.
Estimated Market Value
$100,000,000 - $150,000,000 (Estimate for a rare undisputed Caravaggio autographed work).
Auction Estimate
$80,000,000 - $120,000,000 (Theoretical; work is in a permanent museum collection).
Provenance History
Formerly in the collection of Cavalier d'Arpino; sequestered by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in 1607; has remained in the Borghese collection since.
Art Historical Significance
Crucial early work marking Caravaggio's move from Lombardy to Rome. It showcases his revolutionary naturalism and 'still life' expertise, breaking from Mannerist conventions to depict reality directly.
Notable Features
Includes a distinctive 'withered leaf' on the right, showcasing Caravaggio's mastery of realistic decay and botanical accuracy; held in the venerable Galleria Borghese, Rome.
Condition Issues
Minor stable craquelure consistent with age; possible old restorations/varnish yellowing typical of 17th-century works in long-term display.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain strictly controlled humidity (50% RH) and temperature; UV-filtered lighting; periodic professional surface cleaning and varnish assessment.