Artwork
Saint Matthew
Saint Matthew is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1512 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The woodcut 'Saint Matthew' was created by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1512. It is a print depicting a scene from Christian tradition.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Saint Matthew, a bearded man in flowing robes, holding a book and quill, surrounded by smaller figures. The scene is set against a rocky landscape with a building and a boat, suggesting a narrative context.
Technique & Style
The woodcut features sharp lines and a crowded composition, conveying emotion and movement. The technique is characteristic of woodcut prints, where every mark is carved into a block, requiring a deliberate and economical approach to line and form.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
