Caravaggio

Born Michelangelo Merisi, but forever known by his hometown of Caravaggio, this Renaissance man (or, more accurately, proto-Baroque brawler) revolutionized painting with his stark contrasts and unvarnished depictions of biblical scenes. He didn't just paint saints; he painted the guy who looked like he just got off a bar stool, which, given Caravaggio's own proclivities, was probably accurate.

Despite a life peppered with legal troubles, brawls, and even a murder charge that forced him to flee Rome, his artistic output was prodigious and profound. He injected a visceral, often shocking, reality into his canvases, making the sacred feel immediately present and, frankly, a bit scandalous to some contemporary critics who preferred their angels to look less like actual people and more like, well, angels.

While his intense religious subject matter might suggest some deep spiritual introspection, his personal behavior suggested more of a commitment to living life loudly and dangerously. There's no indication of any Jewish heritage or identity; he was as Catholic as the Pope’s hat, albeit perhaps a very, very badly behaved Catholic.

His legacy, however, is undeniable. He transformed European painting, influencing countless artists with his dramatic lighting and psychological intensity. Even if he spent more time dodging the law than attending synagogue, his artistic "nachas" for the world of art is immense.