MOST OUTSTANDING BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE 2
The Most Outstanding Example of Baroque Style in Architecture
The use of Baroque art gained popularity in the 16th century and has gained momentum
over the years. It is still being incorporated into modern building designs for aesthetic purposes
as well as to communicate hidden meanings. Mostly, Baroque art is presented as engraved
letters, words or drawings on walls of monumental buildings. In some isolated cases, some
ancient buildings adopted the Baroque architect in entirety. There are various Baroque art worthy
mentioning, but The Calling of Saint Matthew (1599-1600) is the most outstanding of them all.
The painting was done by Caravaggio, who is one of the forefathers of baroque painting.
His approach to baroque art is highly realistic and truly inspiring. Caravaggio is highly respected
for his relentless efforts to revitalize religious art that was rapidly disappearing during his time.
The painting depicts Jesus reaching out to Mathew the Apostle to follow him in his quest to save
the human race from sin. Despite the vehement opposition from the general public and the
Ecclesiastic government of the time, Cardinal Matthew Contarelli helped provide material for the
painting because he was friends with Mathew the Apostle (Thomas, 1985).
The painting depicts the passage of the gospel in a very natural way in which Jesus
conducted his Biblical teachings. It depicts how He picked out his apostles’ from the rest of the
humanity. The intensity of the light shining on Mathew in the picture tells it all; his moment for
greatness had come. He was being called by the Son of God to join a bigger crew for a greater
purpose. It is of this importance and a sense of purpose that makes me stare at The Calling of
Saint Matthew (1599-1600) with wonderment every time I see it in church buildings. It is truly a
masterpiece of Baroque art.
