Artwork
The Apostle Matthew
The Apostle Matthew is a print by Lucas Cranach the Elder. It dates from 1522 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
This black-and-white drawing shows a bearded man in a long robe, sitting and holding a pair of scissors or shears in one hand.
This black-and-white drawing shows a bearded man in a long robe, sitting and holding a pair of scissors or shears in one hand. His other hand rests on a book or paper, and he wears a pointed hat. The background has swirling vines and clusters of grapes, with some small dots that might be stars or flowers.
The artist used sharp lines to show the folds in his clothing and the texture of his beard. The drawing looks like it was made to show the man’s thoughtful pose.
Next, look up Lucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) to see more of his work.
Overview
The Apostle Matthew is a print created by Lucas Cranach the Elder around 1522, exemplifying the artist's blend of religious themes with the artistic and theological innovations of the German Renaissance.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts the Apostle Matthew in contemplative pose, holding a book and quill (possibly misidentified as scissors/shears in the visual note), symbolizing his role as a writer of the Gospel. The surrounding motifs of vines, grapes, and potential celestial elements (stars/flowers) enrich the religious context.
Technique & Style
Cranach's characteristic style is evident in the sharp lines defining the subject's clothing folds and beard texture. The overall composition reflects his ability to merge detailed realism with symbolic religious elements, typical of his work during this period.
History & Provenance
Created during Cranach's tenure as court painter to the Electors of Saxony, this work benefits from his connections with key Reformation figures, including Martin Luther, influencing the subtle blend of traditional religious imagery with emerging Protestant themes.
Context
Produced in 1522, The Apostle Matthew situates itself within the early 16th-century German Renaissance, reflecting the era's artistic evolution and the theological shifts of the Reformation, in which Cranach played a visually expressive role.
Legacy
As part of Cranach's oeuvre, The Apostle Matthew contributes to the artist's lasting impact on German Renaissance art, particularly in how religious art adapted to the intellectual and religious transformations of the time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
