Who painted The Calling of St Matthew?

Bernardo Strozzi painted The Calling of St Matthew in 1620.

What Bible passage does The Calling of St Matthew depict?

The Calling of St Matthew depicts the biblical scene from Matthew 9:1-12.

Where is The Calling of St Matthew located?

The Calling of St Matthew is housed at Worcester Art Museum, 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts.

The Calling of St Matthew by Bernardo Strozzi

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Strozzi, a Capuchin monk, was one of the greatest early seventeenth-century Italian painters. His works are often marked by strong contrasts of light and dark, which became one of the hallmarks of Italian Baroque painting. Taken from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, this scene shows Christ inviting Matthew, a tax collector, to join him as one of his disciples. Christ appears at the far right, barely identified by the hint of a halo at the back of his head. The strongest light falls on Matthew, who appears awestruck, while his assistants go about their business of counting money. The restlessness in the figure of Matthew is echoed throughout the painting by the animated brushwork and dramatic positioning, including a variety of exaggerated hand gestures.

Strozzi's picture is closely related to an altarpiece of the same subject painted around 1598 in Rome by Caravaggio, the influential painter who popularized the use of dramatic lighting effects. It is not known whether Strozzi, a native of Genoa, ever traveled to Rome to see the painting by Caravaggio; he may have known it only through copies and reports of other artists.

Details

Artist: Bernardo Strozzi
Created: c. 1620
Medium: oil on canvas
Dimension: 187cm × 139cm
Passage: Matthew 9:1-12
Housed at: Worcester Art Museum 55 Salisbury Street, Worcester, Massachusetts

Found in: Matthew, Matthew 9, 17th century, Matthew

Matthew 9:1-12

1 He entered into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city.

2 Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.”

3 Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man blasphemes.”

4 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk?’

6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins-” (then he said to the paralytic), “Get up, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”

7 He arose and departed to his house.

8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

9 As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him.

10 As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.

11 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do.

Matthew 9:1-12 · World English Bible

The artist

Bernardo Strozzi

1581 - 1644

Genoa, Italy

Bernardo Strozzi, named il Cappuccino and il Prete Genovese (c. 1581 – 2 August 1644) was an Italian Baroque painter and engraver. A canvas and fresco artist, his wide subject range included history, allegorical, genre and portrait paintings as well as still lifes. Born and initially mainly active in Genoa, he worked in Venice in the latter part of his career. His work exercised considerable influence on artistic developments in both cities. He is considered a principal founder of the…