Does Caravaggio Use 'Naturalism In The Calling Of St. Matthew'?
Assignment #3
1. (20points) How does Carravaggio use naturalism in the “Calling of St. Matthew”?
Caravaggio’s Calling of St. Matthew, paints a vivid picture of religion without making it completely obvious that it is based on religion through elements of naturalism. The men around Matthew are dressed in fine clothing and the other two subjects walking through the door are not. However, viewers can see that the figure with the light beaming over his head as he is pointing and the thin gold line is of great importance. This leaves viewers to believe that the picture is a depiction of Christ. Christ is pointing to Matthew and he in return points to himself, as to ask “are you talking to me.” Another element of naturalism is the way Christ’s face and hand are illuminated in the gloomy interior so that we see the precise moment of his calling to Matthew is yet another element of naturalism in the painting. Caravaggio shows us through the painting an “actual” moment of religious history and conversion of Matthew. In summary this Caravaggio execution in this painting tells a clear story that is very natural and not over-exaggerated.
2. (20 points) Describe a work that uses tenebrism.
In The Conversion of St. Paul Caravaggio shows intense and …show more content…
Although the area seems to be small this aspect of the painting makes the figure look very far away; a spatial value of Baroque. The use of light by Velazquez pulls the viewer into the court as the focal point. Everyone in the painting appears to be looking at the viewer. In the Baroque style the painting tells a story of an event of a wedding which makes the viewer feel as if they are a part of what is going on. Tenebrism seems to be the particular quality that makes Velazquez’s painting a Baroque painting; the use of darker tones in the background and light used on the royal court to give them greater
1. (20points) How does Carravaggio use naturalism in the “Calling of St. Matthew”?
Caravaggio’s Calling of St. Matthew, paints a vivid picture of religion without making it completely obvious that it is based on religion through elements of naturalism. The men around Matthew are dressed in fine clothing and the other two subjects walking through the door are not. However, viewers can see that the figure with the light beaming over his head as he is pointing and the thin gold line is of great importance. This leaves viewers to believe that the picture is a depiction of Christ. Christ is pointing to Matthew and he in return points to himself, as to ask “are you talking to me.” Another element of naturalism is the way Christ’s face and hand are illuminated in the gloomy interior so that we see the precise moment of his calling to Matthew is yet another element of naturalism in the painting. Caravaggio shows us through the painting an “actual” moment of religious history and conversion of Matthew. In summary this Caravaggio execution in this painting tells a clear story that is very natural and not over-exaggerated.
2. (20 points) Describe a work that uses tenebrism.
In The Conversion of St. Paul Caravaggio shows intense and …show more content…
Although the area seems to be small this aspect of the painting makes the figure look very far away; a spatial value of Baroque. The use of light by Velazquez pulls the viewer into the court as the focal point. Everyone in the painting appears to be looking at the viewer. In the Baroque style the painting tells a story of an event of a wedding which makes the viewer feel as if they are a part of what is going on. Tenebrism seems to be the particular quality that makes Velazquez’s painting a Baroque painting; the use of darker tones in the background and light used on the royal court to give them greater