Historically, subjects inspired by periodicals, discoveries of new techniques, and the intrapersonal desires and interests of the artists themselves have influenced artistic trends and dictated similar and different trends during the artistic periods. The Baroque and Rococo periods are exemplary periods for broadly comparing and contrasting trends in artists' pieces and noting one's influence in another's paintings. Comparing the work of Baroque painters Michelangelo Caravaggio and Jan Vermeer with Romantic era painter Francisco de Goya, one can see trends that have been developed and perfected, passed down from generation to generation over time; and also how each artist contributed personal attributes to their respective artistic periods. In the 16th century, Caravaggio's unique artistic style set a prestigious precedent for all realist painters who followed him. Caravaggio was the first of the three artists to perfect the skill of implementing intense chiaroscuro into his paintings. This is reflected in many of Caravaggio's paintings but is extraordinarily effective and dominant in his 1599/1600 painting, The Calling of Saint Matthew. In addition to Caravaggio, Goya also heavily implemented the practice of chiaroscuro painting, as in his 1808 painting, The Third of May and the 1780 painting, Christo Crucificado. Both Caravaggio and Goya perfected the influences of light and the practice of positioning models to make full use of shadows and place emphasis on important aspects of their subjects. Another interesting similarity between Goya and Caravaggio is that early in their painting careers, their work was full of colour, vibrant and optimistic, however, as they aged and their skills developed, their later paintings... . half of the paper... while Vermeer used models who were identified as common women and maids, as seen in The Kitchen Maid and The Young Woman with a Jug of Water. Also interesting to note is that Vermeer painted landscapes and Goya never did. The few similarities between Goya and Vermeer include the conveyance of emotion through facial features: Goya through the mouth as seen in the Equestrian Portrait of Marie Louise and Vermeer through the eyes of the Girl With a Pearl Earring. Other similarities included oil painting on canvas and portrait painting. When analyzed thoroughly, one can see the slight similarities present between the works of Vermeer, Caravaggio, and Goya, as well as obvious and not-so-obvious differences. However, the artists' dedication to conveying their opinion and interpretation of life through images is the most important similarity between the three.