Christ appears in the tax collector’s office and calls on Matthew to follow him. Matthew, depicted raising his right hand to his breast and with a star above his head, would become one of Christ’s most faithful followers and the author of one of the Gospels. Pareja, Velázquez’s former slave, places considerable emphasis on the setting of this work and also includes himself in the composition. He is located on the left, proudly looking out at the viewer and holding in his right hand a piece of paper with his signature.