The Calling of Saint Matthew

Hendrick ter Brugghen's "The Calling of Saint Matthew" is a powerful example of Utrecht Caravaggism, a style he helped define after his travels to Italy. Ter Brugghen was deeply influenced by Caravaggio's dramatic use of light and shadow (tenebrism) and his preference for depicting religious subjects with a striking realism, often featuring everyday people. While in Rome, Ter Brugghen was the only Dutch painter present during Caravaggio's lifetime, absorbing the revolutionary techniques that would later characterize his own work. Upon returning to Utrecht, he continued to develop this style, focusing on emotionally charged scenes and employing strong contrasts of light and dark to create a heightened sense of drama. This painting would have been particularly impactful for its time, showcasing Ter Brugghen's mastery of the 'Italian manner' and his ability to bring sacred narratives to life with profound psychological depth. Peter Paul Rubens himself praised Ter Brugghen's work above that of other Utrecht artists, highlighting his significant contribution to Dutch painting.