The Calling of Saint Matthew, Caravaggio, 1599-1600
The Calling of Saint Matthew is created with oil on canvas. This artwork shows Christ and Saint Peter summoning Saint Matthew (then named Levi) from his everyday life. The lighting depicts this as a very dramatic event. It is also dramatic because of the lack of movement in the frame. All of the figures are in set positions, which shows how they are all unable to react immediately. This highlights human indecision before being able to react.
This painting hangs in the Contarelli Chapel of the San Luigi dei Francesi. This is the French Church in Rome. It is culturally relevant because Henri IV, the heir to St. Louis, converted to Catholicism. This painting serves as a celebration for the French community in Rome. It also shows Christ in a contemporary environment, which had not been done very often before.
Works Cited:
Web Gallery of Art, Searchable Fine Arts Image Database, www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?%2Fhtml%2Fc%2Fcaravagg%2F04%2F23conta.html.
“Caravaggio, Calling of Saint Matthew and Inspiration of St. Matthew.” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/early-europe-and-colonial-americas/reformation-counter-reformation/v/caravaggio-s-calling-of-st-matthew-c-1599-1600.