Artwork
St. Matthew
St. Matthew is a print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1546 by German printmaker Hans Sebald Beham, *St. Matthew* is a small black‑and‑white print that depicts the apostle in a modest, detailed composition. The work belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art and exemplifies the precise, miniature engraving style for which Beham and his contemporaries were known as the “Little Masters.”
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a bearded figure identified as St. Matthew, holding a book—symbolic of his Gospel—and a long staff, a traditional attribute of the evangelist. He stands on a patch of grass, with a spear propped against a rock behind him, reinforcing the biblical association with the apostle’s missionary journey.
Technique & Style
Beham employs fine, sharply cut lines and cross‑hatching to render the folds of the robe, the texture of the beard, and the surrounding landscape. The engraving reflects Renaissance priorities of realism and meticulous detail, achieving a high level of visual clarity within a compact format.
History & Provenance
Born in Nuremberg and later active in Frankfurt, Beham produced roughly 252 engravings and 1,500 woodcuts over his career. *St. Matthew* entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the 20th century, joining a representative group of his small‑scale devotional prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
