Baroque: Caravaggio

“The Calling of St Matthew”, Caravaggio, 1599-1600, Church of San Luigi Franchesi, Rome.

All of Caravaggio's paintings are extremely intricate and have so much emotion, but I really love how "The Calling of St Matthew" has so much meaning behind it without the gruesome or gory depictions of biblical stories like some of his other work. I absolutely love this painting with the different light and shadow techniques that were perfectly executed like Caravaggio does in his paintings. When looking at this painting, I am just in awe at the sheer skill it took to apply the intricate details to each individual. This painting would fit perfectly into my house and I would definitely own a copy of it when I find the perfect frame to fit the print of the painting.

When viewing "The Calling of St Matthew" painted by Caravaggio, it is so easy to find hidden meanings that show the influence of the Council of Trent in the art. Caravaggio is showing the viewer a story of how a saint in the Catholic Church is being called by God to serve Him and cast away the shady dealings he appears to be taking part in. The Council of Trent's purpose was to attempt to influence more people to come back to Catholicism during the Protestant Reformation. Caravaggio's art that depicts various biblical stories was meant to spur the reader to feel the emotion of the piece. It was a way to humanize people and be able to connect back to Catholicism like the Council of Trent was aiming to do.

Inspiring Piety: The Influence of Caravaggio’s Paintings in Santa Maria ... https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1194&context=honors_research_projects.

Morrin, Dermot. “Caravaggio's Calling of St Matthew.” St Albert's, 17 Sept. 2022, https://scotland.op.org/caravaggios-calling-of-st-matthew/.