The Calling of Matthew
1578
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1578
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Calling of Matthew is a 1578 ink by Léonard Gaultier, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white scene shows a group of people indoors, with one man in fancy clothes sitting at a table, counting coins. Others stand around him—some looking down, others watching closely. In the background, a window opens to a busy harbor with ships and a large, round tower. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture, making the figures and buildings look solid. The scene mixes everyday life with something bigger, like a moment of change. Next, check out how engraving works to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Léonard Gaultier, or, as he sometimes signed himself, Galter, a French engraver, was born at Mainz about 1561, and died in Paris in 1641.
See the richer artist page
