CARAVAGGIO
(b. 1571, Caravaggio, d. 1610, Porto Ercole)

The Calling of Saint Matthew (detail)

1599-1600
Oil on canvas
Contarelli Chapel, San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome

There have been frequent criticism of how the handsome head of Christ relates to the outstretched right arm. Only as an afterthought, revealed by X-ray photographs, did Caravaggio decide to have St Peter, who is leaning forward clumsily and imitating Christ's gesture.




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