Saint Matthew c. 16th century

Curator: This is Lucas Cranach the Elder's "Saint Matthew," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The immediate feeling is one of intense focus, even academic pursuit. Curator: Cranach's choice of woodcut lends itself to strong lines, emphasizing the textures of Matthew's garments and the surrounding foliage. Consider the labour involved in carving those precise details. Editor: Notice the compass in Matthew's hands, a clear symbol connecting him to divine knowledge, measuring the world, perhaps even creation itself. Curator: The materiality of the print itself speaks to wider distribution and consumption of religious imagery during the period. Editor: The halo, while traditional, feels almost like an afterthought against the more grounded symbolism of the tools. Curator: Indeed. Cranach seems to bring the sacred figure down to earth, making him accessible through the very process of artmaking. Editor: It's a compelling blend of the divine and the human, wouldn't you agree?