The artwork titled “St. Matthew” is a creation of the French Baroque painter Georges de la Tour, executed between 1615 and 1620. It is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the tenebrism style, which is characterized by dramatic contrasts of light and dark. This religious painting, as part of the broader Baroque movement, intends to evoke spiritual contemplation and emotion in the viewer through its vivid representation of the biblical figure.
In the artwork, St. Matthew is depicted immersed in his study, engaged in the act of writing. The composition is dominated by a deep chiaroscuro, with a focused light illuminating the face and hands of the saint, thereby drawing attention to his expression of concentrated thought and the sacred text before him. The surrounding darkness envelops the figure, accentuating the solitude and intensity of his scholarly pursuit. The stark shadows and the stark light source suggest a spiritual interpretation, with the light symbolizing divine inspiration or the presence of God guiding Matthew in his work. The choice of dark and muted tones, along with the intricate play of light, serves to heighten the painting’s contemplative atmosphere and underline its religious significance.
