‘Caravaggio’, whose real name was ‘Michelangelo Merisi ’(1571-1610), is still referred to both as the mischievous young man and as a genius painter. One can still distinguish his works by the light he cast on his characters, making them come to life. Between 1599 and 1601 Michelangelo produced three pictures in honour of Saint Matthew, among them The Calling of Matthew, for the church of Saint Louis of the French, in Rome. These three paintings were enough to make him renowned.
The Calling of Matthew
The scene is set in a tavern, in the customs room or in a betting shop. The characters around the table are all men of different ages. One is wearing sober clothes, while the others are colourful and bright. What brought them together? Maybe the money they collected from the taxes. Suddenly something arouses the attention of one of them, while there is little reaction from the others. This man in the middle of the table was Matthew.
A gesture from Jesus sparks the scene and brings a ray of light that fills the emptiness that lies between him and the other characters. His presence alarms them. The way Jesus stretches out his hand towards Matthew recalls to mind the gesture of God stretching his hand to touch that of Adam in Michelangelo’s other painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Calling Matthew Jesus ’hand resembles that of God performing the work of creation, with one difference: the hand of Jesus is depicted as one making a move, one that makes it easy for Matthew to accept the invitation.
Jesus was going about his preaching ministry. His feet are already turned towards the door through which he will soon be leaving. Perhaps Matthew is wondering how Jesus found himself there! In John 3 verse 8, Jesus says: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.”
The clothes of Jesus places him out of time. Jesus represents another world, while he builds a bridge between him and the men at the table, offering them the possibility to leave behind the table around which they are seated.
The reactions to Jesus’ appearance are varied. One of the men shows a reflex response: his hands are quick to cover the coins on the table. For the two men on the left, it is as if nothing happened. They could not realise the importance of the event, once they have already chosen their master: the coins of precious metal that they worship and keep so tightly. Very elegant, wearing a beautiful hat with a feather shining in the light, and a red gold-fringed cloak, the young man next to Matthew holds himself back. He notes and considers, but he doesn’t seem prepared to take risks.
Matthew on the other hand looks baffled. He did not expect this encounter, nor the invitation directed at him. One hand is naturally upon the money as expected from a taxman. His other hand is pointing towards his chest as if wondering whether Jesus is really calling him: “Who? … me?” But Matthew has already said “yes” in his heart. Under the table, his legs are ready to lift him up to follow Jesus. “Leaving everything, he got up and followed him” (Luke 5,28). He followed him… quite willingly!
