Evangelist Mattheus

About this artwork

Schets voor beeld van de evangelist Mattheus.

Art Historical Context

**Evangelist Mattheus is a delicate pen sketch by the renowned Genoese artist Luca Cambiaso (. 1527–1585), capturing the essence of Saint Matthew, one of the four Evangelists Christian tradition. Created during Cambiaso's prolific career in the late Renaissance, this small drawing (145 mm high by 64 mm wide) as a preparatory study—"schets voor beeld"—for a sculpture of the saint. Cambiaso, a master draftsman influenced by Mannerism, often used such sketches to refine dynamic poses and proportions before committing to larger works in paint or stone. Rendered in pen on paper, the medium highlights Cambiaso's virtuosic line work, with fluid strokes suggesting volume, drapery, and contemplative expression—hallmarks of his style blending Michelangelo's monumentality with Genoese elegance. These preparatory drawings were vital in Renaissance workshops, bridging idea to execution and allowing artists to experiment without waste. Matthew, traditionally shown as a winged man or scribe with an angel, embodies wisdom and divine inspiration here, reflecting the Counter-Reformation's emphasis on sacred figures. This intimate sketch offers a window into 16th-century artistic process, showcasing how Cambiaso transformed biblical iconography into tangible form. A gem for visitors, it reminds us of drawing's enduring role in sculptural innovation.

About the Artist

Luca Cambiaso · 1527–1585

Luca Cambiaso (1527–1585) was an Italian painter and draftsman who dominated artistic life in Genoa during the second half of the sixteenth century and became one of the most innovative draftsmen of the Late Renaissance. Born in Moneglia near Genoa, he trained under his father, the painter Giovanni Cambiaso, and demonstrated precocious talent, reportedly completing his first public fresco commissi...