Why it matters
Christ points to the tax collector Matthew, calling him to follow him, as light falls across the scene. It was Caravaggio's first major church commission.
Did you know?
- It was completed in 1599–1600 for the Contarelli Chapel.
- It hangs with two other paintings of Matthew by Caravaggio.
- His patron, Cardinal del Monte, helped him obtain the commission.
Based on the Wikipedia article The Calling of Saint Matthew (CC BY-SA 4.0).
