Renaissance- Baroque Art
Above is a painting called The Calling of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio. This was painted in 1599-1600, using oil on canvas. This is located in the Contarelli chapel, San Luigi dei Francesci, Rome. This painting resembles a biblical story of the calling of Saint Matthew. Jesus singles Matthew out and calls on him to join him and his disciples. The characters seem to be dressed in contemporary clothing, setting this event in Caravaggio's time, rather than biblical times.
The Calling of Saint Matthew shows Caravaggio's use of tenebrism and stark contrasts between partially lit figures and dark backgrounds to dramatize the effect. Tenebrism is a term derived from the Italian 'tenebroso' which means darkened and obscuring. It is used to describe a certain type of painting in which significant details such as faces and hands are illuminated by highlights which are contrasted with a dark setting. Light plays an active role in furthering the action/plot, rather than merely creating a general glow as in the renaissance. There's a stream of sunlight that comes in diagonally from the top right corner, follows Christ's finger pointing toward Matthew.
This context can relate to the Counter-Reformation. The Catholic Church reacted against the Protestant Reformation and began by Martin Luther in 1517. After a period of austerity and withdrawal from lavish art, the Catholic Church experienced a revival in Rome. They drew believers into the Catholic faith by enthralling drama, theatrics, and shocking beauty in artwork and architecture. They wanted to make people feel an overpowering emotional response to the Catholic-inspired art. There was a differentiating approach to Christianity from that of the Protestants. Mainly in the Baroque style art. Frozen action, theatrical, high contrast, diagonal lines, and gritty realism. Rather than idealized, perfect realism of the high renaissance. Otherwise, known as The Council of Trent.
I find this painting to be very realistic and detailed. Especially the facial features. This was my first time hearing of the term "tenebrism" and what it meant. Now I want to try my own still-life painting and use the tenebrism technique to help the colors show. Maybe something a lot simpler, such as fruit or a cup of wine with a dark background. Something that can tell a small story and give my audience a thought.
Sources Cited
The Calling of Saint Matthew, 1600 by Caravaggio. https://www.caravaggio.org/the-calling-of-saint-mathew.jsp
Hi James, I like your blog on the oil painting of Jesus and one of his apostles, Matthew. I often read the Bible when the pastor is giving God’s Word at church. It is my first time hearing the phrase tenebrism technique in this work of art describing the contrast of the oil painting.
ReplyDeleteHey James,
ReplyDeleteIts definitely a good piece of art, I love the strong use of light and dark especially the beam of light which cuts through the gloom. Its really well done moody and atmospheric oil painting with great attention to detail.
Hey James,
ReplyDeleteI really like the art piece you picked, It's defiantly a piece I would choose to have in my house. I think it's neat that this painting doesn't have a long a dramatic history to it, given the time period. The theme in this piece is very much all over the place, but I appreciate that you have to look at the painting for more than a second to actually understand and feel what's going on. I had no idea what the word "tenebrism" meant either and so thank you for doing the research and explaining it in your blog!
Hello James, I think this work is quite interesting since it relates to an event in the bible. This work in connection to the Counter Reformation is fascinating and you did a great job on implementing direct sources of history and backing up your main points. I really liked how you described the art elements in this Baroque style painting and your explanation was very thoughtful. After reading your post, I was quite intrigued to learn that art was used as a way to persuade and captivate individuals in order for them join or stay loyal to the Catholic faith.
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