Artwork
Der hl. Lukas
Der hl. Lukas is an unspecified painting by the Barbizon school artist Johann Heiss. It dates from 1672 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Johann Heiss, a German painter active in the late 17th century, completed *Der hl. Lukas* in 1672. Executed in the Baroque idiom, the work portrays the apostle Luke as a seated figure, surrounded by symbolic objects. The canvas is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection in Munich, where it is displayed among other religious narratives from the period.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as Luke the Evangelist, traditionally credited with authoring portions of the New Testament. He holds a brush in one hand, alluding to Luke’s reputed role as a painter, and a book in the other, referencing his gospel. A diminutive panel on his lap shows a woman nursing a child, evoking the Incarnation theme that Luke emphasized in his writings.
Technique & Style
Heiss employs the dramatic chiaroscuro typical of Baroque art, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figure’s solemn face and simple garments.
Heiss employs the dramatic chiaroscuro typical of Baroque art, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figure’s solemn face and simple garments. The composition is anchored by an unusual goat, rendered with careful anatomical detail, providing a rustic counterpoint to the scholarly attributes of the saint. The palette is restrained, favoring earth tones that enhance the work’s contemplative mood.
History & Provenance
After its creation in 1672, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Bavarian state in the 19th century. It has been part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings since that acquisition, where it has been catalogued as an example of Heiss’s religious output and as a rare visual representation of Luke as an artist.
Context
In the German Baroque period, saints were often depicted with their patronage symbols; Luke’s association with painting was a common motif, though the inclusion of a goat is atypical. Heiss’s choice reflects a regional taste for integrating everyday rural elements into sacred scenes, thereby making the holy figure more approachable to contemporary viewers.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Heiss, or Heiß (19 June 1640 – February 1704) was a German painter in the Baroque style, known for historical, Biblical and mythological scenes.
