Matthew's POV

Challenging a masterpiece

Since I've always wanted to learn more about chiaroscuro and tenebrism, I thought it would be useful to try and master-copy a (detail of a) tenebrist masterpiece. And what is my favourite painting by the great Master of Tenebrism? The Calling of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio, of course.

I can stare at this painting (or the photographs and videos of it) for hours, exploring and still discovering numerous aspects and details, often ending with more questions than answers. The one certainty is that the composition, colours and values, poses and gestures, and most of all, the light, that plays the leading role, are the work of mind of a true genius.

I spent hours trying to find out about the nature and the position of those light sources (and there were surely more than one!), yet I still don't know exactly how Caravaggio designed that setting.

For a long time, I hesitated, but one day I decided to try master-copying a detail of the painting. In any case, I knew I wanted to include hands, that was obvious. I chose the section featuring two figures on the right, believed to be Jesus and Peter.
But then I thought, I might try something more brutal and daring by turning the setting 90 degrees, painting the two figures as they would appear from Matthew's perspective. This approach would not only serve as good practice but also make the work my own, a sort of original interpretation.
I began with some quick sketches, trying to understand the painting's original setting and how the light fell. I took numerous photographs of my own hands to imitate the gestures in the painting. I also surfed for high-resolution images of the paintings in the Contarelli Chapel and consumed a lot of material about Caravaggio and his masterpiece. Finally, I took the plunge and started to paint.

Of course, the outcome wasn't completely what I had hoped for. But the experience was an incredible learning process. I am glad I did it, even though I am not entirely satisfied with the result. There is so much more to learn.

There is also something about coincidences: I only recently realised that I actually saw the original for the first time about 7 years ago while in Rome for a very special occasion. That was one of the many wonderful gifts from a friend who passed away. Thank you, Hans!

This will be another one in the series Hands' Private Life. Let's call it "Matthew's POV".

Oil on panel 38 x 48 cm, alla prima, limited palette.

View the finished painting in my gallery.