Who painted The Four Evangelists?

The Four Evangelists was painted by Unknown in 1518.

Where can I see The Four Evangelists?

The Four Evangelists is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Four Evangelists?

The Four Evangelists is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Four Evangelists

Unknown , 1518

The Four Evangelists is a print by the Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1518 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

They’re dressed in robes, and small winged creatures hover near their heads—Matthew with an angel, Mark with a lion, Luke with an ox, and John with an eagle.

You see four men sitting at a table, each holding a book or scroll. They’re dressed in robes, and small winged creatures hover near their heads—Matthew with an angel, Mark with a lion, Luke with an ox, and John with an eagle.

This painting was made in Italy around 1518, but no one knows who painted it. The faces are calm, almost identical, like the artist wasn’t trying to show real people but symbols instead. The colors are soft, with shadows that blend smoothly, giving the scene a quiet, dreamy feel.

To see more like this, look up *Italy, 16th century*.

Overview

This 1518 Italian print depicts four seated figures, identified as the Four Evangelists, each accompanied by a distinctive winged creature. The work's artist remains anonymous.

Subject & Meaning

The Evangelists—Matthew (with angel), Mark (lion), Luke (ox), and John (eagle)—are portrayed not as individuals but as symbolic representations, emphasized by their calm, nearly identical faces.

Technique & Style

Characterized by soft colors and smooth, blended shadows, the print conveys a quiet, dreamy atmosphere, typical of early 16th-century Italian artistic tendencies.

History & Provenance

Created in Italy circa 1518, the artist's identity is unknown. The work's provenance history is not provided.

Context

This print reflects the religious and symbolic themes prevalent in 16th-century Italian art, where allegorical representations were common.

Legacy

While not attributed to a known artist, the work exemplifies the stylistic and thematic currents of its time, making it a representative piece of early 16th-century Italian printmaking.