Artwork
The Evangelists: St. Luke
The Evangelists: St. Luke is a print by the Renaissance artist Master E.S.. It dates from 1458 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1458, *The Evangelists: St.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1458, *The Evangelists: St. Luke* is a woodcut engraving attributed to the anonymous German printmaker known as Master ES. Active between roughly 1450 and 1467, he is recognized as an early figure in German old‑master printmaking and frequently signed his pieces with the monogram E.S.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents Saint Luke, one of the four Evangelists, seated at a desk. He holds a book and a stylus, tools associated with his role as a chronicler of the Gospels, while a bull—his traditional emblem—lies at his feet, reinforcing his identity.
Technique & Style
Executed in a late‑Gothic manner, the engraving displays deep, sharply cut folds in the saint’s robe that catch light, giving the impression of sculptural relief. The fine, precise lines and strong contrasts exemplify the meticulous hand of a skilled goldsmith‑turned printmaker.
History & Provenance
The work is among the earliest signed prints by Master ES, whose engravings were widely copied throughout Europe in the mid‑15th century. A surviving example resides in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is available for close study.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master E. S. (c. 1420 – c. 1468; previously known as the Master of 1466) is an unidentified German engraver, goldsmith, and printmaker of the late Gothic period. He was the first major German artist of old master prints…
