Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Calling of Saint Matthew

Caravaggio, 1600

Name Class Date
Caravaggio, Calling of Saint Matthew (1600). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Caravaggio topimpressionists.com/en/artists/caravaggio/
Artist’s dates
1571 – 1610
Painted
1600
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Original size
323 x 343 cm
Movement
Baroque Dramatic, theatrical pictures using deep shadow and strong diagonals to pull you into the action.
Period
Renaissance
Artistic style
Dramatic realism
Influences
Caravaggio
Notable elements
Chiaroscuro
Subject or theme
Biblical scene

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Caravaggio died in 1610; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1680.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio

How big is it?

The original measures 323 × 343 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height. It is too large to draw to scale on this page.

When was this painted?

  1. 1570
  2. 1580
  3. 1590
  4. 1600
  5. 1610

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 39 at death.

Painted when the artist was 29. The artist lived to 39. 52 of the 154 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Caravaggio (1571–1610) ▲ this work, 1600 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1598 Main working years: 1598–1606 Late works: from 1606

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/caravaggio-calling-of-saint-matthew-8XXR2F-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Phthalo Green #2a2222

    Catalogued palette

    • #2A2222
    • #C9AB8C
    • #926F56
    • #5C372C

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Phthalo Green
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Gentle How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Deep_shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Caravaggio over the last twelve months — 76 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 Italy 34.8%
    2. 2 China 15.3%
    3. 3 Spain 7.7%
    4. 4 France 6.7%
    5. 5 United States of America 4.5%
    6. 6 Hong Kong 2.9%
    7. 7 Singapore 2.4%
    8. 8 Brazil 2.2%
    9. 9 Japan 1.7%
    10. 10 Mexico 1.7%
    11. · 66 other countries 20.1%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Caravaggio

    1. 1 The Calling of Saint Matthew, 1599 12.9%
    2. 2 Death of the Virgin, 1601 11.1%
    3. 3 Narcissus, 1599 8.2%
    4. 4 Basket of Fruit, 1596 6.1%
    5. 5 The Death of the Virgin (detail), 1605 2.4%
    6. 6 Judith Beheading Holofernes, 1598 1.7%
    7. 7 Ecce Homo, 1609 1.7%
    8. 8 Salome with the Head of St. John the Baptist, 1607 1.7%
    9. 9 The Calling Of Saint Matthew 1.6%
    10. 10 The Musicians, 1595 1.5%
    11. 11 Taking of Christ, 1598 1.2%
    12. 12 Sick Bacchus, 1593 1.1%
    13. 13 Bacchus, 1596 1.0%
    14. 14 The Death of the Virgin, 1603 0.9%
    15. 15 Madonna del Rosario (detail), 1607 0.9%
    16. 16 The Incredulity of Saint Thomas - Caravaggio, 2026 0.9%
    17. 17 The Crucifixion Of Saint Peter, 1600 0.9%
    18. 18 Ecce Homo, 1606 0.9%
    19. 19 Supper at Emmaus, 1601 0.8%
    20. 118 Calling of Saint Matthew, 1600 this painting 0.2%

    Together these works take 57.7% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 233 works by this artist, of which 207 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 118 of them, with 0.2% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio

    The Dramatic Revelation: Caravaggio’s “Calling of Saint Matthew”

    Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio's "Calling of Saint Matthew," painted in 1599-1600 for the Contarelli Chapel within Rome’s San Luigi dei Francesi church, is not merely a biblical depiction; it’s a visceral plunge into human emotion and spiritual awakening. This masterpiece transcends its religious subject matter to become a profound study of light, shadow, and the transformative power of grace. The painting captures a pivotal moment – Jesus Christ's direct summons to Matthew, a former tax collector notorious for his avarice, to abandon his worldly life and follow him. It’s a scene brimming with tension, surprise, and an undeniable sense of divine intervention.

    Caravaggio’s genius lies in his masterful manipulation of chiaroscuro – the dramatic interplay between light and darkness. The room is plunged into deep shadow, punctuated by shafts of brilliant illumination that focus intensely on Jesus, Matthew, and Peter. This stark contrast isn't simply a stylistic choice; it serves to heighten the drama and draw the viewer’s eye directly to the central figures. Notice how the faces of the other men at the table are partially obscured, suggesting their initial resistance or confusion, while Matthew is bathed in light, his expression one of stunned recognition and burgeoning faith. The use of tenebrism – a particularly intense form of chiaroscuro – creates an almost theatrical atmosphere, as if we’re witnessing a secret revelation unfolding before our eyes.

    A Revolutionary Composition & Baroque Drama

    The composition itself is revolutionary for its time. Caravaggio abandons the traditional, idealized depictions of biblical scenes prevalent in Renaissance art. Instead, he presents a scene of gritty realism – a humble dining room, ordinary men engaged in mundane activities, and a divine encounter that disrupts their routine. Matthew isn’t presented as a saintly figure; he's a flawed man, seated amongst his colleagues, counting coins with a look of preoccupied calculation. This grounding in the everyday makes the miracle all the more impactful. The positioning of Jesus – pointing directly at Matthew – is deliberately forceful and immediate, conveying the urgency of the call.

    This painting firmly establishes Caravaggio within the burgeoning Baroque style. The Baroque period, emerging in the 17th century, favored dramatic intensity, emotional expression, and a heightened sense of realism. Caravaggio’s work embodies these principles perfectly. He wasn't interested in creating beautiful, polished images; he sought to capture the raw energy and profound truths of faith. The painting’s dynamism—the movement of figures, the contrast of light and dark—mirrors the turbulent spirit of the era.

    Symbolism & The Transformation of a Man

    Beyond its immediate narrative, “Calling of Saint Matthew” is rich in symbolism. The coins scattered on the table represent Matthew’s former life of greed and deceit. The gesture of Jesus – pointing directly at Matthew – symbolizes divine grace and the opportunity for redemption. The inclusion of Peter, a prominent disciple, underscores the universality of this call to faith; anyone can be chosen by God. Furthermore, the setting itself—a simple dining room—suggests that spiritual transformation can occur in the most ordinary of circumstances.

    Matthew’s expression is key to understanding the painting's emotional core. His initial surprise quickly gives way to a mixture of awe and acceptance. It’s not a triumphant declaration of faith, but rather a hesitant acknowledgment of God’s presence. This vulnerability resonates deeply with viewers, reminding us that conversion is often a process of gradual realization and humble surrender.

    A Legacy of Influence & Artistic Innovation

    "Calling of Saint Matthew" stands as one of Caravaggio's most significant achievements and a cornerstone of Baroque art history. Its innovative use of light and shadow, its dramatic composition, and its profound exploration of human emotion profoundly influenced generations of artists. Figures like Peter Paul Rubens, Jusepe de Ribera, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and even Rembrandt were deeply impacted by Caravaggio’s techniques and vision. The painting's enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture a moment of grace and transformation—a testament to the power of faith and the transformative potential within each of us.

    Today, this remarkable artwork resides within the Contarelli Chapel of San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome. AllPaintingsStore.com offers meticulously crafted oil painting reproductions that faithfully capture the drama and intensity of Caravaggio’s original masterpiece. Explore our collection to bring this iconic image into your home or office – a stunning reminder of faith, transformation, and the enduring legacy of one of art history's greatest masters.

    Painting by 'Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi)' | Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi): Calling of Saint Matthew

    Painting by 'Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi)' | Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi): The Calling of Saint Matthew

    The Calling of Saint Matthew - Wikipedia

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Caravaggio

    Born in Milan, Spain

    A Life Forged in Shadow and Light

    Milan, 1571. The air is heavy with the scent of plague. Young Michelangelo Merisi watches as death claims his father and grandfather in a single day. He grows up in the grip of poverty, a reality that later finds its way onto his canvases through the faces of ordinary people. By 1584, he begins an apprenticeship under Simone Peterzano, a former pupil of Titian. This training provides the technical foundation, but the spirit of the boy from Milan is already restless.

    Rome, around 1592. The city is a crucible of religious fervor and intense competition. Caravaggio arrives without fixed address or provision, a penniless migrant in a landscape of grand ambitions. He finds footing through the patronage of Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte. In the shadows of the Palazzo Madama, the artist begins to strip away the artificial elegance of Mannerism. He replaces elongated, idealized forms with something far more visceral.

    The Architecture of Darkness

    He rejects the polished surfaces of his contemporaries. Instead, he embraces tenebrism, a style where darkness is a physical presence rather than a mere absence of light. In works like The Cardsharps, light does not simply illuminate; it strikes. It carves figures out of an impenetrable black void. This technique, often called chiaroscuro, creates a stage-like intensity that forces the viewer to confront the raw textures of silk, skin, and bone.

    His method is direct. He works alla prima, applying paint directly to the canvas without the safety net of preparatory drawings. This immediacy allows for a startling realism. He uses the people of the Roman streets—the drunks, the laborers, the outcasts—as models for the sacred. When he paints the Holy Family, they possess the dirt and weariness of the living. The divine becomes profoundly human.

    Tenebrism: The use of violent contrasts between light and dark to command attention.

    Realism: A commitment to depicting the physical and emotional truth of the human condition.

    Direct Observation: Working from live models to capture unadorned, naturalistic detail.

    Flight and Finality

    The brilliance of his art is matched by the volatility of his temperament. A brawl in 1606 leads to a murder charge and a death sentence. The artist becomes an outlaw. He flees Rome, moving through Naples, Malta, and Sicily. Even in exile, the work continues. In Malta, he joins the Order of St. John, but his turbulent nature leads to imprisonment after a quarrel with a superior.

    The end comes in 1610. While traveling from Naples back toward Rome in search of a papal pardon, he dies in Porto Ercole. The cause remains a subject of debate—fever, wounds, or perhaps lead poisoning. He leaves behind a legacy that fundamentally altered the course of Western art. His followers, the Caravaggisti, carry his shadows across Europe, ensuring that the darkness he mastered would never truly fade.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Calling of Saint Matthew

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/caravaggio-calling-of-saint-matthew-8XXR2F-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Caravaggio. Calling of Saint Matthew. 1600, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/caravaggio-calling-of-saint-matthew-8XXR2F-en/
    APA
    Caravaggio (1600). Calling of Saint Matthew [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/caravaggio-calling-of-saint-matthew-8XXR2F-en/
    Chicago
    Caravaggio. Calling of Saint Matthew. 1600. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/caravaggio-calling-of-saint-matthew-8XXR2F-en/
    Harvard
    Caravaggio (1600) Calling of Saint Matthew. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/caravaggio-calling-of-saint-matthew-8XXR2F-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: religious, biblical, jesus christ. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The Calling of Saint Matthew (1599), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Baroque: Dramatic, theatrical pictures using deep shadow and strong diagonals to pull you into the action. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio Part 5 · Look closely

    Art quiz

    Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio

    How well do you know this artwork?

    Tick one answer for each of the 5 questions below. Each has exactly one correct answer.

    1. 1. What is the primary subject depicted in Caravaggio’s ‘The Calling of Saint Matthew’?

      • A The martyrdom of Saint Matthew
      • B Jesus Christ summoning Matthew to follow him
      • C Matthew counting money with his companions

    2. 2. Which technique is most prominently featured in ‘The Calling of Saint Matthew’?

      • A Sfumato
      • B Chiaroscuro (strong contrasts of light and dark)
      • C Impasto

    3. 3. In what church is ‘The Calling of Saint Matthew’ currently located?

      • A San Luigi dei Francesi
      • B Santa Maria della Vita
      • C San Pietro in Vincoli

    4. 4. What was the significance of Cardinal Francesco Maria Del Monte in commissioning ‘The Calling of Saint Matthew’?

      • A He was a wealthy patron who provided financial support to Caravaggio.
      • B He intervened to secure Caravaggio his first major church commission.
      • C He requested that Caravaggio paint a series of biblical scenes for the chapel.

    5. 5. The painting’s composition emphasizes which aspect of the scene?

      • A The opulent wealth of the tax collectors.
      • B The dramatic interaction between Jesus and Matthew, highlighting a pivotal moment of spiritual transformation.
      • C The detailed depiction of the surrounding room.

    My score: ____ out of 5

    Answer key — for the teacher

    This starts a fresh printed page, so it can simply be left out of the copies.

    1B · 2B · 3A · 4B · 5B

    Check any answer against the catalogue record for this painting

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 23, 2026

    Calling of Saint Matthew — Caravaggio Part 6 · Art quiz

    Questions & Answers

    Can I order an oil reproduction of "Calling of Saint Matthew"?

    Hand-painted copies of "Calling of Saint Matthew" by Caravaggio are sold on this website: a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas, ordered from its Hand-Painted Reproduction page.

    What stage of Caravaggio's career does "Calling of Saint Matthew" (1600) belong to?

    The 1600 date places "Calling of Saint Matthew" in the Mature Period of Caravaggio's development.

    Can I watch "Calling of Saint Matthew" as a full-screen slideshow?

    "Calling of Saint Matthew" by Caravaggio can be viewed as a slideshow on the artwork's Diaporama page.