Both Caravaggio and Rembrandt were popular 17th-century artists that are known for their similar styles and methods. Caravaggio's unique style influenced many artists that came after him, including Rembrandt. The people that adopted his style are known as the Caravaggisti. The Calling of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio and The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn are Baroque paintings that share styles from Caravaggio's influence, and engage the viewer while telling a story.
The Calling of Saint Matthew tells the biblical story of when Jesus and an apostle confront Saint Matthew, the tax collector, and tells Matthew to follow him to become a disciple. This piece successfully portrays the distinct characteristics of a Caravaggio painting. Caravaggio was known for his use of tenebrism, which is the use of intense contrasts of light and dark. This is shown with the highlights of Jesus' hand and face, as well as the faces of Saint Matthew and the youths that see the presence of Christ. Christ's body and the youths that are not aware of his presence are submerged in deep shadow that contrasts the highlights. Another aspect of Caravaggio's paintings are the use of diagonal lines, which are present in The Calling of Saint Matthew. Light streaming through an off-canvas window leads to Saint Matthew and creates a diagonal line that gets the viewer's attention and draws your eyes to the subject matter it leads to. Caravaggio uses a "visual quotation" of Michelangelo's Creation of Adam in The Calling of Saint Matthew. Jesus' hand is in the exact position of Adam's hand in Michelangelo's piece. Rembrandt's The Night Watch is a group portrait of a militia company led by Captain Banning Cocq. The painting serves as a reminder of the Dutch victory over Spanish conquerors and their new found freedom. In relation to Caravaggio, Rembrandt adopted the use of tenebrism and diagonal lines and are shown in this piece.
