Evangelist Mattheüs

About this artwork

Prent afkomstig uit: Biblicae historiae. Frankfurt am Main: Egenloph, 1539.

Art Historical Context

Behold the delicate woodcut print *Evangelist Mattheüs*, a tiny gem measuring just 50mm high by 70mm wide, crafted anonymously between 1530 and 1533 on paper. This miniature depiction of the Gospel writer Saint Matthew originates from *Biblicae historiae*, a lavishly illustrated Bible history published in Frankfurt am Main by Christian Egenolff in 1539. Such prints were integral to early modern books, bringing sacred narratives to life for readers across Europe. In the bustling world of 16th-century printing, Egenolff's workshop pioneered affordable, image-rich religious texts during the Reformation era. Woodcuts like this one—carved into wooden blocks and inked for mass production—democratized art and devotion, allowing even humble households to visualize biblical figures. The anonymous artist's economical lines capture Matthew's contemplative pose, evoking the era's blend of medieval piety and Renaissance clarity. This artwork highlights printing's revolutionary role in spreading faith visually, bridging illiterate audiences and scripture. A testament to craftsmanship in miniature, it invites us to marvel at how such small-scale wonders shaped cultural and spiritual life.

About the Artist

anonymous

In the vast tapestry of art history, "Anonymous" stands not as a singular individual but as a collective designation for countless unidentified creators whose works have endured across millennia. These artists, spanning prehistoric cave painters to medieval illuminators and folk craftsmen, produced the foundational layers of human visual culture. Prior to the Renaissance, when individual fame emer...