Derek Jarman’s 1986 film retells the life of the 17th-century artist through his brilliant, nearly blasphemous paintings and his flirtations with the underworld.
From his deathbed in 1610, Caravaggio (Nigel Terry) looks back at his turbulent relationship with two of his models, street thug Ranuccio (Sean Bean) and his mistress Lena (Tilda Swinton).
Though the film was shot in a studio in Limehouse, Jarman’s use of light and sound help conjure an authentically Italian mood, with the atmosphere deliberately punctured by anachronisms such as a pocket calculator and Ranuccio’s motorbike.
While Jarman continued to work on the margins of the British film industry until his death at 52 in 1994, this low-budget production launched the film careers of Swinton, Bean, costume designer Sandy Powell and cinematographer Gabriel Beristain, all of whom became Hollywood regulars.
This special screening is followed by an in-person Q&A with master forger David Henty, and Wendy Bowker of Washouse and Parlour Gallery in Rye, whose solo exhibition 'The Art Forger' runs from 19th September until 10th October 2025. washouseandparlour.com
David Henty is widely recognised as the world’s Number 1 art forger today. With a career spanning over 25 years, David has meticulously honed his craft, mastering the techniques, materials, and nuances of history’s most iconic artists. His work is not mere imitation—it is a devoted and skilled recreation of the spirit and style of painters such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, L. S. Lowry, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Norman Rockwell, Chaim Soutine, Georges Braque, Carel Fabritius, Claude Monet, Edwin Landseer, Walter Sickert, René Magritte, John Singer Sargent, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti—to name just a few.
Each of David’s pieces is the result of an intensive research process. He studies the original artwork in depth, seeks to understand the artist’s mindset, and, wherever possible, sources materials authentic to the original era. This attention to detail and historical fidelity has earned David global recognition—not just from collectors and galleries, but also across film and television.
David is fast becoming one of the most well-known art forgers of our time. His work—and the art of forgery itself—is increasingly acknowledged as a genre in its own right: a legitimate and respected form of artistic expression. As the art market continues to evolve, and with record-breaking prices dominating headlines, the demand for high-quality master copies has surged. David stands at the forefront of this movement, committed to preserving and celebrating the legacy of the world’s greatest artists—one brushstroke at a time.
David's admiration for Caravaggio highlights a fascinating intersection of art and authenticity. Caravaggio, known for his dramatic use of light and shadow, faced significant challenges in his life, including social rejection and personal turmoil. His forgeries not only showcase his technical skill but also reflect a deep appreciation for Caravaggio's emotional intensity and innovative style.
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