The Calling of St. Matthew, after Carpaccio 1899 - 1900

Editor: This is George Hawley Hallowell’s "The Calling of St. Matthew, after Carpaccio," a watercolor measuring about 9x7 inches. I am immediately drawn to the composition – the linear perspective directing my eye to the figures. What strikes you most about the formal structure of this work? Curator: I'm intrigued by how Hallowell uses watercolor to emulate the texture and light of Carpaccio's oil painting. The meticulous rendering of architectural details, like the columns and arches, creates a structured visual rhythm. How does Hallowell's choice of medium affect your interpretation of the scene, compared to what you might expect from an oil painting? Editor: It gives it a softer, almost dreamlike quality, less grounded than I would expect. So, the medium itself adds to the interpretation, not just the scene? Curator: Precisely. The transparency of the watercolor allows light to permeate the image, subtly altering the spatial relationships and thus, our perception of the narrative. Editor: I hadn’t considered how much the medium impacts the feel. Thank you!