A rare opportunity to admire a celebrated version of Caravaggio’s Boy Bitten by a Lizard in the Tuscan coastal village where the artist spent his final days.
Until 25 October 2026, the historic village of Porto Ercole, on Monte Argentario in southern Tuscany, hosts an exceptional art exhibition dedicated to Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio.
The artist’s celebrated painting Boy Bitten by a Lizard (Ragazzo morso da un ramarro) is on display at the Church of Sant’Erasmo, in the heart of Porto Ercole’s charming old town.
The exhibition holds particular significance: Caravaggio died in Porto Ercole in 1610, making the village an important part of the artist’s remarkable life story.
A Rarely Seen Caravaggio Masterpiece
Painted around 1595, during Caravaggio’s early years in Rome, Boy Bitten by a Lizard captures a young man’s sudden reaction to being bitten by a lizard hidden among flowers and fruit.
The oil painting, measuring 65.5 × 50 cm, comes from a private Roman collection and is rarely accessible to the public.
While other versions of the composition are held in London and Florence, the painting exhibited in Porto Ercole features distinctive details, including a visible tear in the young man’s eye. Some scholars consider this version the probable original prototype of the composition.
Curated by art historian and Caravaggio specialist Pierluigi Carofano, the exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to discover the painting in an intimate setting, surrounded by the historic architecture of Porto Ercole.
Visiting the Caravaggio Exhibition in Porto Ercole
The exhibition is free to visit and runs from 27 September to 25 October 2026.
Location: Church of Sant’Erasmo, Porto Ercole Old Town, Monte Argentario, Tuscany.
Opening hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Free guided tours of the historic village and the painting are also available, with advance booking required. Book your guided tour here.
Whether you’re passionate about art or simply exploring the beautiful villages of the Maremma coast, this exhibition offers another compelling reason to visit Porto Ercole this autumn.
