Caravaggio's "The Calling of Saint Matthew" is a pivotal work that exemplifies the use of light as a metaphor for enlightenment. In this painting, the dramatic contrasts of light and shadow—known as chiaroscuro—serve to direct the viewer's attention to the moment of divine intervention in the lives of ordinary men. The light falls directly on Saint Matthew, illuminating him amidst the surrounding darkness, which symbolizes ignorance or a lack of awareness.
This act of being "called" is visually represented not only through the physical light illuminating Matthew but also through the implication that this moment signifies a transformative experience, guiding him toward a higher spiritual understanding. By employing light in this manner, Caravaggio effectively conveys the theme of divine illumination and revelation, making it central to the narrative of the artwork. This represents a broader concept in Baroque art, where light is often integrated as a powerful symbolic tool to evoke emotional and spiritual responses in the viewer.
The other concepts, while relevant to different aspects of art, do not capture the essence of light's role in this specific work. For instance, while the painting does portray daily life, it is not fundamentally about that; rather, it uses daily life as a stage for the significant spiritual encounter. The emphasis