Roeping van Mattheus 1600 - 1610

Otto van Veen rendered this drawing, the Calling of St. Matthew, using pen in brown, brush in gray, and heightened white. Note the symbolism of the hand gesture, reaching out towards the figure of Matthew. This motif echoes through time, evoking themes of divine intervention, choice, and transformation. In ancient Roman art, a similar gesture might signify power or invitation, yet here, it carries the weight of spiritual awakening. The raised hand appears time and again, from antiquity to the Renaissance, and beyond. Think of Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam," where the almost-touching fingers convey the spark of life. Consider how such gestures tap into our collective memory, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, stirring profound emotional responses. It reminds us that symbols transcend epochs, and resonate deeply within the human psyche, constantly evolving and adapting.