Question

Caravaggio depicts the very moment when Matthew first realizes he is being called. This was Caravaggio's first important job and the completed work would win him the highest of praise as well as the harshest of criticism for its shockingly innovative style. What is the name of the painting?

1) The Calling of Saint Matthew
2) The Last Supper
3) The Creation of Adam
4) The Birth of Venus

Answer 1

Caravaggio's The Calling of Saint Matthew, an oil on canvas from around 1599-1600, depicts the moment of Saint Matthew's calling with dramatic use of light, a technique known as tenebrism, which had a significant impact on Baroque art.

Step-by-step explanation:

The painting that depicts the moment when Matthew first realizes he is being called is titled The Calling of Saint Matthew. This masterpiece, created by Caravaggio around 1599-1600, is an oil on canvas located in the Contarelli Chapel, Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, in Rome. Caravaggio's innovative use of light and shadow, known as tenebrism, plays a crucial role in this painting, clearly distinguishing between the illuminated figures of Jesus and Saint Matthew and the shadowed background. The use of directional light creates a dramatic effect, emphasizing the divine intervention into the daily life of Matthew. The artwork sparked both high praise for its bold technique and harsh criticism for its divergence from traditional styles of the era. Caravaggio's employment of chiaroscuro greatly influenced Baroque painting and inspired a following of artists known as the Caravaggisti.