Art Institute of Chicago exhibit gives a rare, up-close glimpse of 2 Caravaggio works

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, “The Cardsharps,” ca. 1595 is now part of an exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago. (Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Texas)

Art museums like to offer exhibitions of different size and scope. At one end of the spectrum are blockbusters, attention-grabbing shows with dozens of works that shake up the understanding of an artist or movement or put forward some novel thematic treatment.

At the other, are focused, jewel-box presentations. Instead of trying to make any big art-historical statements, these intimate offerings take away any distractions and allow viewers to really zero in on just a handful of selections.