Saint Matthew and the Angel
c. 1602 Contarelli Chapel, Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome
About this artwork
This painting depicts Saint Matthew guided by an angel in writing his Gospel. It is an oil on canvas, showcasing Caravaggio's mastery of chiaroscuro and naturalistic depiction.
Did you know?
Caravaggio's first version of "Saint Matthew and the Angel" was famously rejected by the patrons for being too vulgar, depicting the saint as an unrefined peasant with dirty feet, being literally guided by the angel's hand. He quickly produced this second, more acceptable version, which still maintained his signature naturalism and dramatic lighting but presented Matthew in a more dignified manner. This incident highlights the tension between Caravaggio's radical realism and the expectations of his powerful religious commissioners.
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Saint Matthew and the Angel
Michelangelo da Caravaggio, c. 1602
