St. Luke, seated on a cloud with an open book in both hands, a bull lying at his feet, from a series of the four evangelists after Agostino Veneziano, which are in turn after Giulio Romano

Art Historical Context

This engraving depicts Saint Luke, one of the four Evangelists, seated gracefully on a cloud while holding an open book with both hands. At his feet rests a bull, his traditional symbol, grounding the heavenly figure in earthly imagery. Created after 1518, the print belongs to a series of the four Evangelists designed by Giulio Romano and first engraved by Agostino Veneziano (also known as Agostino dei Musi), with this impression linked to an anonymous Italian sixteenth-century artist. Giulio Romano, a leading Mannerist painter and architect who trained under Raphael, brought dynamic poses and classical elegance to the series. Agostino Veneziano’s reproductive engravings played a vital role in the Renaissance by circulating these designs across Europe, allowing wider audiences to study and admire the compositions. The medium of engraving, with its precise lines and tonal range, was especially suited for capturing the sculptural quality of the figures and the subtle textures of drapery and cloud. Measuring roughly 9½ by 7 inches, this sheet from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection highlights how printmaking bridged the gap between original drawings and the public. The work’s emphasis on Saint Luke, patron of artists and physicians, underscores the Renaissance reverence for sacred texts and the act of recording divine inspiration.