The Calling of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio
The Calling of Saint Matthew is an oil painting by the Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. It depicts the moment Jesus Christ calls upon the tax collector Matthew to follow him, marking Matthew's conversion. The painting was completed between 1599 and 1600 and was commissioned for the Contarelli Chapel in the church of the French congregation, San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome, where it remains to this day.
Composition and Style
Caravaggio, renowned for his dramatic use of chiaroscuro, employs stark contrasts of light and dark to draw attention to the scene's spiritual intensity. The composition captures the moment of spiritual awakening and conversion, a theme that intrigued many Baroque artists. Jesus, gesturing commandingly, is illuminated by a beam of light that leads the viewer's eye towards the startled tax collector.
Identification of Saint Matthew
A notable feature of the painting is the ambiguity over which figure represents Matthew. The scene portrays a group of tax collectors counting money, with Jesus and Saint Peter entering from the right. The bearded man at the table, who points to himself in apparent disbelief, is traditionally identified as Matthew. However, this identification is occasionally debated, with some art historians suggesting alternative interpretations.
Related Works
The Calling of Saint Matthew hangs alongside another masterpiece by Caravaggio, The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew, also located in the Contarelli Chapel. While The Martyrdom was likely the first to be started, The Calling was reportedly the first to be completed. Both paintings were commissioned in July 1599, with final payment made in July 1600. These works collectively explore themes of divine intervention and transformation.
Caravaggio's Influence
Caravaggio's depiction of religious scenes, characterized by their emotional depth and realistic detail, had a profound impact on the evolution of Baroque art. His approach to spiritual subjects, particularly through the lens of intense human experience, influenced artists like Hendrick ter Brugghen and Juan de Pareja. These artists also created their own interpretations of the calling of Saint Matthew, reflecting the enduring legacy of Caravaggio's work.