The Calling of Saint Matthew

A painting by Caravaggio, made around 1599–1600, depicting Jesus calling the tax collector Matthew to become his disciple. Its sharp chiaroscuro and modern-looking setting give the biblical scene a striking immediacy.

Chiaroscuro: An artistic technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to model forms and shape a composition. A beam of light directs attention from Christ toward the seated men.
Contarelli Chapel: A chapel in Rome’s Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, decorated with paintings about Saint Matthew. The Calling was commissioned for this chapel and remains on its left wall.
Caravaggio: The Italian Baroque painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, known for naturalistic figures and dramatic light. He painted the work as part of his early major Roman commissions.
The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew: A painting by Caravaggio depicting the killing of Saint Matthew during a church service. It hangs opposite the Calling in the Contarelli Chapel, contrasting conversion with martyrdom.
Tenebrism: A painting style that places brightly illuminated figures against deep, extensive darkness. Caravaggio makes the dim room and illuminated figures heighten the scene’s drama.
San Luigi dei Francesi: A Roman church dedicated to Saint Louis IX of France and serving the French community in Rome. Its Contarelli Chapel is the painting’s original and present setting.
Matteo Contarelli: A French cardinal whose bequest funded the decoration of a chapel dedicated to Saint Matthew in Rome. His bequest created the commission for the chapel’s paintings.
The Inspiration of Saint Matthew: A painting by Caravaggio showing Saint Matthew writing with an angel’s assistance. It completes the chapel cycle by depicting Matthew as Gospel author.
Pointing gesture: A gesture that directs attention or indicates a person, object, or action. Christ’s hand and Matthew’s answering gesture leave the identity of the called man visually debated.
Gospel of Matthew: A canonical New Testament Gospel that presents Jesus’s life and teachings. The painting draws on its account of Jesus calling Matthew from the tax booth.

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