Anand's Explorations

   The Calling of Saint Matthew - Analysis Museo Del Prado Artist:  Juan de Pareja Date:  1661 Location Created:  Madrid, Spain Art Form:  Oil Painting Introduction The Calling of Saint Matthew by Juan de Pareja is a stunning piece of Baroque art. Created in 1661 in Madrid, Spain, this oil painting shows Pareja's talent for evoking strong emotions out of the viewer. In this week's blog, we will look at the aesthetic elements of this painting, the emotions it brings out, and its connection to the Baroque era, particularly it's connection to the Council of Trent. Aesthetic Appreciation Visual Elements and Emotional Impact Within Pareja's work, he uses dramatic light and shadow (aka chiaroscuro) which is a key feature of Baroque art. The contrast between the dark background and the illuminated figures draws attention to the main action in the scene. This use of light highlights the characters and creates a sense of depth (Smarthistory). The painting depicts the moment whe