In “The Calling of St. Matthew,” the brilliant and rebellious artist Caravaggio employed his revolutionary technique of selectively illuminating subjects surrounded by fathomless shadows, which became a cornerstone of Baroque painting. Using the unexpected appearance of Christ and St. Peter as a dramatic narrative, Caravaggio (1571 – 1610) suspended action during the silent, shocked instant he portrayed. Christ’s summoning gesture toward Levi, who was to become St. Matthew, is indisputably commanding yet so casual that Levi points to himself in confusion. Using strong contrasts of light and darkness, Caravaggio emphasizes the spiritual significance of the illuminated figures.

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