Saint Matthew

Art Historical Context

This exquisite wooden sculpture of *Saint Matthew*, crafted around 1470 in the Brabant—likely from the workshops of Diest or Leuven—captures the evangelist as a pivotal figure in Christian iconography. Standing at 67.3 cm tall, it hails from the late Gothic period in the Southern Netherlands (modern-day Belgium), a time when Brabant was renowned for its masterful wood carvings destined for churches and private devotion. Saint Matthew, one of the Evangelists, is traditionally symbolized by a winged man or angel, emphasizing his role as the Gospel author inspired by divine vision. Carved from s...