But although I think that this is a really novel and fascinating idea, I have my doubts. Part of Lapucci's argument rests on the fact that Caravaggio used an "abnormal number" of left-handed subjects in his early works, since a light sensitive image would have been projected on a canvas backwards. (According to Lapucci, Caravaggio later depicts right-handed subjects in his paintings, which indicates that the artist used improved darkroom technologies in his later career). My problem with this argument is that I can only find three Caravaggio paintings with (possible) left-handed subjects, even in his early works. Just about all of the sitters appear to be right-handed (for example, see Judith Beheading Holofernes, Boy Peeling Fruit, Lute Player, and The Musicians). Here are the only lefties that I found:
Caravaggio, Bacchus, c. 1597
(A discovery regarding this painting was recently in the news - see my thoughts here)
Caravaggio, Catherine of Alexandria, c. 1598
Does Lapucci consider this subject to be left-handed, since
her left hand is closer to the handle of the sword? Hmm.
Caravaggio, Saint John the Baptist, 1610
This is a late work (in terms of Caravaggio's career), but the sitter is using his left hand to hold a staff. (Does that mean, though, that he is left-handed? Or that light sensitive technology was used? Hmm.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieSaCRcyuiNGIWQy_oOrixYpgBJ4BeLpm6JQGCVHupc5JOOusJhvU8-SDxd9yPVd-ZfOPEQvExVYRyCHX20aDhThyy4i5I18R4XqO3njiUloJNSKN2wo5Fv9ttUDXcM0xu4-jPuBYDcE4v/s320/Caravaggio+Bacchus.jpg)
(A discovery regarding this painting was recently in the news - see my thoughts here)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6SKo_s2dUV4Q-Jn9O5JK4xTM0EOC92n6kuI_48XuLEIsp6enKfy62fNCIWNb8gs0MiX0HtbvqgsjYXBT_rnkO8GoghAlHxA3UXQrt73hy_LTOq30kl6veMupHH2j41zuVlXRfSdoRzxU/s320/Caravaggio,+St.+Catherine+of+Alexandria,+c.+1598.jpg)
Does Lapucci consider this subject to be left-handed, since
her left hand is closer to the handle of the sword? Hmm.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW78J0rrhfKQmqWvyo3Ly7p2tcnk3jiEIhUoahyUZKTd4UG38IX5GfPdXQiKuwHNrzc-BPYNkFADtX62HG4ofg7PFyS3_MpKh-Yv-FY5TB31TBDJXS8gp_s3LDyVG9onLg3sO2qZxB-H-/s320/Caravaggio,+St.+John+the+Baptist,+1610.jpg)
This is a late work (in terms of Caravaggio's career), but the sitter is using his left hand to hold a staff. (Does that mean, though, that he is left-handed? Or that light sensitive technology was used? Hmm.)
And...that's it. From what I could find, those three are the only Caravaggio paintings that possibly manifest left-handed subjects. Feel free to try and find others - I'd love to see if anyone finds more lefties in Caravaggio's work. For now, though, I feel like this part of Lapucci's argument is pretty weak. You can decide for yourself, gentle reader, whether the number three constitutes an "abnormal number" for left-handed subjects.