Heilige Jacobus de jongere, Mattheus en Andreas 1824

Johann Nepomuk Strixner rendered this image of Saints James the Less, Matthew, and Andrew in monochrome. Observe each saint with their distinguishing symbols: James, holding the fuller's bat, a sign of his martyrdom; Matthew, with the book representing his Gospel; and Andrew, embracing the saltire cross of his crucifixion. The halo, a universal emblem of sanctity, encircles their heads, rooting back to ancient sun-god imagery, adapted to signify divine grace. The book is a motif laden with historical weight; from ancient scrolls to illuminated manuscripts, it symbolizes knowledge and revelation. Yet, here, its presence is more than a mere attribute. It's a conduit, linking the saint to the enduring power of their teachings. The symbolic language of art speaks to us across time, echoing through the corridors of history. These symbols are not static. They evolve, accrue layers of meaning, and transform through our collective cultural memory.