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Deacon Mark Mueller's avatar

I have always thought of this painting as the painting of the hands. Jesus’ call, his hand, is mimicked by Peter’s. The Church’s call is the same as Jesus’ call to conversion. The hand pointing to Matthew, the youth with his head down, almost saying … “you mean him, not me.” These are the hands of those who resist the call or prevent the sinners return. Then there are the two hands on the money, one hand belongs to Matthew who may be letting go and the other hand of the man with glasses, pulling the money back toward himself. The one hears the call of the Lord, the second grasps at the money echoing the call of the world.

With Caravaggio, you do follow the light along the pathway of the hands.

The question is… whose hands are yours?

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Phillip Hadden's avatar

I’ve read a lot of debate on what’s going on this image & it just shows what a magnificent piece of art work. I never tire looking at it.

But the hands are crucial as you highlight, I’ve never paid much attention to Peter’s hand. Thank you for pointing it out to me.

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