Artwork
Saint Matthew and the Angel
Saint Matthew and the Angel is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Barent Fabritius. It dates from 1656 and is held in the collection of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
About this work
Overview
Barent Fabritius, a Dutch artist active in the mid‑17th century, painted Saint Matthew and the Angel in 1656. Executed in oil on canvas, the work portrays the apostle Matthew at a writing desk, attended by a luminous, winged angel. The composition is held by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and exemplifies the religious narrative tradition of the Dutch Golden Age.
Subject & Meaning
The scene presents an elderly, bearded Matthew engaged in transcription, his quill poised over an open book. A haloed angel leans close, appearing to whisper guidance, suggesting divine inspiration for the gospel author. The subdued atmosphere underscores contemplation and the notion of sacred assistance in the act of writing.
Technique & Style
Fabritius employs chiaroscuro to illuminate the figures against a dark backdrop, concentrating light on the faces of both man and angel. The rendering of textures—fabric folds, feathered wings, and the reflective glow around the halo—demonstrates a careful handling of oil paint, while the overall composition balances realism with a modest, devotional tone.
History & Provenance
Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the painting reflects Fabritius’s training alongside his brothers and the influence of Rembrandt’s workshop. After remaining in private collections for centuries, it entered the holdings of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, where it is displayed as part of the museum’s European paintings collection.
Context
Religious subjects such as the evangelist Matthew were common in 17th‑century Dutch art, often serving both devotional and didactic purposes. Fabritius’s choice to depict the angelic muse aligns with contemporary visual conventions that linked artistic creation with divine guidance, a theme also explored in his mythological and historical works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Barent or Bernard Pietersz Fabritius (or Fabricius) (bapt. 16 November 1624 – bur. 20 October 1673), was a Dutch painter. Fabritius was born at Middenbeemster, North Holland, the son of Pieter Carelsz. Fabritius. He…
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