If I understand my history correctly this is important because his death was shrouded in mystery. All that is known is a contemporary death notice, saying he died of a fever in Porto Ercole but that no body was ever found.
He led a short, violent, dissolute life and made plenty of enemies so foul play has long been suspected.
If I’m not mistaken, he was rediscovered in the 20th century.....even though he had an incredible influence on artists to follow! Strange how things are so easily buried in time.
Good review of Caravaggio - his life, his methods and his work.
http://www.artchive.com/artchive/C/caravaggio.html