Saint Matthew and the Angel Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)

Description of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s Saint Matthew and the Angel

The artist turned many times to biblical subjects. One had the impression that while working on the paintings he was looking for something very important for himself. The striking color separation of the mundane and the supreme in his paintings creates an additional contrast between these two spheres. Detailed drawing of figures and objects in the foreground, gives the events a reality.

Saint Matthew and the Angel was conceived as part of a painting cycle for the Contarini Chapel. The master created two versions. One was rejected as inadequate to the requirements of the canons. The apostle was sitting with a book in his lap, barely able to make out what was written. The angel hovering over the saint was exerting considerable effort in guiding the hand of the writing saint.

This interpretation of the images did not satisfy the church officials at all. And they insisted on a second attempt. The second version differs greatly from the first in composition and emotional message. The size of the canvas was increased.

On a very dark, almost black background the de figures stand out vividly. Matthew listens intently to the angel above his head. The saint’s clothing contrasts with the angel’s snow-white attire. The saint’s posture is very unsteady, but he pays no attention to it, diligently recording the angel’s revelations.

The original of the first version has not survived; there is only a black-and-white reproduction. The fate of the second canvas would also be unenviable, if it were not for art historian Roberto Longhi, who rediscovered them and prepared them for the exhibition of the artist’s work.