Publican, apostle and evangelist · Saint Matthew

Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Rubens and El Greco follow Matthew from his vocation to writing the Gospel and martyrdom, between dramatic light and apostolic portrait.

Saint Matthew is presented in the Gospels as a publican called by Christ while he is at his toll booth. Tradition then identifies him as an apostle and author of the first Gospel. These three dimensions - man called, inspired writer and martyr - give artists a particularly rich cycle. In the Contarelli Chapel in Rome, Caravaggio paints the Vocation, Saint Matthew and the Angel, then the Martyrdom. A ray of light, the gesture of Christ and the reactions around the table transform the call into an inner event. The angel then accompanies the evangelist in his writing work, while martyrdom breaks out in a disorderly crowd. Rembrandt focuses the figure on the meditative face. Rubens and El Greco develop the monumental portrait of the apostle. Book, pen, angel and sometimes collector's purse recall his transition from tax to testimony. The "Saint Matthew" selection notably highlights view The Vocation of Saint Matthew - Caravaggio and Saint Matthew and the Angel - Caravaggio. Its reading favors the material.

In Matthew, one gesture is enough to change a life: the hand of Christ passes through the shadows, then the pen extends the call in the Gospel.