The Calling of Saint Matthew

Definition

The Calling of Saint Matthew is a Baroque painting by Caravaggio that depicts the moment when Jesus Christ calls Matthew, a tax collector, to become one of his apostles. This artwork exemplifies the dramatic use of light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, which creates a striking contrast between the divine and the earthly, highlighting the emotional intensity of the scene.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Calling of Saint Matthew was painted around 1599-1600 and is housed in the Contarelli Chapel in Rome.
2. Caravaggio's use of naturalistic figures and everyday settings was revolutionary for its time, breaking away from the idealized forms of the Renaissance.
3. The painting features a clear divide between light and dark areas, with Christ’s hand reaching out to Matthew symbolizing divine intervention and grace.
4. The facial expressions and body language of the figures convey a range of emotions, from surprise to contemplation, effectively capturing the moment's tension.
5. This artwork significantly influenced the development of Baroque art by integrating realism with religious themes, making spiritual experiences more relatable to viewers.

Review Questions

• How does Caravaggio's use of chiaroscuro in The Calling of Saint Matthew enhance the emotional impact of the scene?
  • Caravaggio’s use of chiaroscuro in The Calling of Saint Matthew creates a dramatic interplay between light and shadow that intensifies the emotional atmosphere. The light illuminates Christ and Matthew, drawing attention to their interaction while leaving other figures shrouded in darkness. This contrast not only highlights the significance of the calling but also symbolizes the transition from a life of sin to one of divine purpose.
• Discuss how The Calling of Saint Matthew reflects key characteristics of Baroque art, particularly in its portrayal of religious themes.
  • The Calling of Saint Matthew embodies essential characteristics of Baroque art through its dramatic composition and emotional expressiveness. The painting captures a pivotal religious moment with realism, allowing viewers to engage with the narrative on a personal level. Additionally, Caravaggio’s innovative techniques, such as tenebrism, amplify the spiritual themes by creating a visual dialogue between sacred and secular worlds.
• Evaluate the impact of The Calling of Saint Matthew on later artists and how it contributed to evolving artistic trends in the Baroque period.
  • The Calling of Saint Matthew had a profound influence on later artists as it established a new approach to religious subjects that prioritized realism and emotional depth. Artists like Rembrandt and Velázquez adopted Caravaggio’s techniques, incorporating dramatic lighting and relatable figures into their works. This shift towards portraying spiritual themes with humanistic qualities marked a significant evolution in Baroque art, paving the way for subsequent artistic movements that emphasized individual experience and emotional resonance.

Related terms

Chiaroscuro: A technique used in painting that employs strong contrasts between light and dark to give the illusion of volume and three-dimensionality.

Tenebrism: An artistic style characterized by the use of pronounced chiaroscuro, where darkness becomes a dominant feature of the composition, emphasizing light sources.

Baroque Art:

A style of art that emerged in the late 16th century and is characterized by dramatic expression, grandeur, and the use of intense colors and contrast.