Saint Matthew and the Angel

About this work

This painting depicts a man with white hair and a beard, wearing a white robe, sitting on the floor with his right arm resting on a book. He is looking up at a young man with white wings, who is pointing to a piece of paper in his left hand. The background is dark, with a brick wall visible behind them. The young man with wings is dressed in a blue robe with red accents, and his facial expression is serious. The older man's face is also serious, with a look of concentration. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and drama. To learn more about the artist's use of this technique, look up the artist Guercino.