Artwork
The Calling of Saint Matthew
The Calling of Saint Matthew is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Jan Sanders van Hemessen. It dates from 1539 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection in Vienna and exemplifies the artist’s synthesis of Northern detail with Italianate influences.
Jan Sanders van Hemessen’s *The Calling of Saint Matthew* was painted in 1539 using oil on canvas. The composition captures a bustling interior where a group of figures is gathered around a table, illuminated by a dramatic play of light and shadow. The work is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection in Vienna and exemplifies the artist’s synthesis of Northern detail with Italianate influences.
Subject & Meaning
The scene interprets the biblical moment when Jesus summons Matthew to follow him, though the narrative is set in a contemporary Flemish tavern. A man in a red dress and another in a green shirt draw attention, suggesting the moment of recognition. The surrounding figures, objects such as a chest and scattered items, convey a lively, almost celebratory atmosphere that underscores the transformative nature of the call.
Technique & Style
Van Hemessen employs a Mannerist approach, evident in the elongated poses and dynamic arrangement of the figures. Strong chiaroscuro creates depth, while impasto adds tactile texture to clothing and surfaces. The palette balances warm reds and cool greens, guiding the eye toward the central interaction. These techniques reflect the artist’s training in the Flemish Renaissance and his exposure to Italian compositional models.
History & Provenance
Created during the early phase of van Hemessen’s career, the painting reflects his affiliation with the Romanist circle of Netherlandish artists who traveled to Italy. After changing hands among private collectors, it entered the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s holdings in the 19th century, where it remains on display as a representative example of mid‑16th‑century cross‑cultural artistic exchange.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Sanders van Hemessen (c. 1500 – c. 1566) was a leading Flemish Renaissance painter, belonging to the group of Italianizing Flemish painters called the Romanists, who were influenced by Italian Renaissance painting.…
