The Calling of Saint Matthew
The Met
Artist: Giovanni Battista Caracciolo(Italian, Naples 1578–1635 Naples)
Date: ca. 1625–30
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 51 3/8 × 61 1/2 in. (130.5 × 156.2 cm)
Credit Line: Purchase, The Morris and Alma Schapiro Fund Gift, 2016
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A bearded man gestures to five figures gathered around a table with coins
Detailed Description
The painting depicts five figures in a dimly lit, dark interior space. A strong light source from the upper right illuminates parts of the scene, creating dramatic contrasts between light and shadow. On the far left, a man with a dark beard and hair is partially visible, dressed in a reddish-brown robe, his face mostly in shadow as he looks towards the center. Next to him, more prominently lit, is a man with long, dark hair and a beard, wearing a dark blue or black tunic. He faces forward, looking slightly to the right, with his right hand extended, palm up, in a clear gesturing motion. His left hand rests on a dark wooden table. To the right of this central figure, a man with dark hair and a red cap leans forward over the table, his gaze focused on the coins scattered on its surface. His hands are positioned near the coins. He wears a green garment under a lighter-colored sleeve. Further to the right, a man with a dark, curly beard and hair is seen from the back, turned towards the table. He wears a blue tunic and a large, ochre-colored cloak draped over his shoulders, holding a small pouch or bag in his right hand. Behind this man, partially obscured and mostly in shadow, is another figure, possibly an older woman, with a dark hood covering her head, looking down towards the table. The dark wooden table is positioned in the lower center, with several small, round, metallic objects (coins) scattered on its surface. The background is uniformly dark, with a subtle hint of a vertical architectural element on the right side of the central figure. The overall palette is dominated by dark tones, with strong chiaroscuro effects.
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