The Mystery of the Pointer

                                                                                                       

                  

                  If you can, try to find the light from this Caravaggio masterpiece. In this picture, at least one of these seven characters should have a familiar face. I’ll give you a hint; he’s the one man extending his entire arm as if he was pointing at someone. Yes, on the far right, Jesus Christ is the man pointing to the men who seem to be either gambling or simply doing their taxes which is where we find the location where the light seems to be eliminating from. Not the window but Jesus, but who is Jesus pointing to? As you can see through the painting, the figures in the painting itself are also confused on who he might be addressing. Is it the man with his head down to the table or perhaps the man pointing to himself? Even some scholars haven’t truly revealed who Jesus is pointing at exactly but we have strong reason to believe that one of these five men is St. Matthew. That is the name of the painting. 

                Lauren, who was our docent today, believes that the child directly in front of Christ is in fact St. Matthew based on the facts that Caravaggio has drawn Matthew before with similar facial features that the child shares. Yet Lauren also explained that part of Caravaggio’s genius comes from how he wants people to perceive his paintings for themselves. So there might not be a direct answer on who Jesus might be pointing to and that is what makes Caravaggio so innovative in my eyes. Just from this painting alone, Caravaggio has made himself my favorite painter. One thing is for sure, I love a challenge, and this painting says to me that I have to solve the mystery of who Christ is pointing to. If I would have to guess, I would eliminate the man with the sword on the right, the man pointing to himself and the man directly behind him, and finally the man blocking Christ’s torso. So that leaves two figures, the child and the man with is head to the ground. Now as I stated before, the light is coming from Jesus and it seems as if Jesus is pointing at the man with his head down to possibly get his attention and to ultimately show him the “light of Christ”. But this is just my perspective and  there are so many other theories. so I strongly encourage you to see  this Caravaggio painting if you ever come to Rome. It is in the  church of San Luigi dei Francesi. Join the mystery and develop your own theory and maybe you can find the light.  

-Devin