ROME (AP).- Art lovers have been lining up under the stars and the sun as an exhibit of Caravaggio masterpieces goes nonstop for its last days in Rome.

After days of seeing the public wait in blocks-long lines in sweltering heat to admire works by the Baroque painter, city officials decided to keep doors open nonstop from Saturday morning until the end of a four-month run Sunday at 10 p.m. (2000 GMT).

Caravaggio's trademark "chiaroscuro" — dramatic dark-light contrasts — and revolutionary use of realism are explored at the Scuderie del Quirinale, an exhibition space created from former stables of Italy's presidential palace.

Culture Commissioner Umberto Croppi said more than 10,000 people had flocked to the show between Saturday and Sunday morning, with some 12 hours still to go before closure.


Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.