The Story of St. Matthew by Caravaggio

 There are 12 masterpieces by the painter Caravaggio in Rome, and several of them are works of art commissioned for churches and can be seen without having to go into a museum.  Three paintings about St. Matthew by Caravaggio are in the church of San Luigi di Francesi, one of several French churches in Rome originally built for the French-speaking community.  

Facade of San Luigi 

Interior of San Luigi

The Call of St. Matthew

The Inspiration of St. Matthew

The Martyrdom of St. Matthew

Caravaggio, like Michelangelo, changed art as a means of communicating meaning, especially religious meaning, by making his subjects unique and relatable.  Caravaggio had a way of painting that had almost  a photographic quality that communicated movement and energy.  Note in the Call of St. Matthew how Jesus is wearing dress from the 1st century while Matthew and the other tax collectors are wearing dress that would have been contemporary with the time of Caravaggio (b. 1571 - d. 1610).  What is the message?  Christ is not just a historical figure from 2000 year ago, but someone who calls you today.  The encounter with Christ is a present event.  How is he calling you today?


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