Evangelist Lucas / Evangelist Johannes c. 1595 - 1654

Curator: Here we have Zacharias Dolendo’s "Evangelist Lucas / Evangelist Johannes", prints dating to between 1595 and 1654. Note the contrast between the two figures, both are depicted in the act of writing, each accompanied by their traditional symbols. Editor: It’s a bit unsettling, isn’t it? Those figures loom large, trapped, as if squeezed into these tiny boxes and overshadowed by their symbolic beasts. Curator: Indeed, Dolendo uses engraving to bring the viewers directly to a re-envisioning of the evangelists, set apart by sharp juxtapositions. The symbols aren't mere accessories; rather, the angel next to Johannes or the bull to Lucas represent divine inspiration, as each writer is producing their Gospel. Their depictions relate closely to Renaissance humanist ideals around authorship. Editor: Humanist ideals or not, I still feel uneasy, trapped by the artist's hand and these saints. It’s something about those searching eyes. Lucas in particular. I feel the weight of centuries, his awareness. And those little landscapes visible through the windows – are they escape routes? Curator: That may be reaching, but, in my view, such details certainly enrich our interpretations. These could indicate historical settings relevant to Gospel accounts or allude to specific biblical narratives. Furthermore, these engravings reflect theological debates of the time, particularly concerning interpretation and accessibility to the Scriptures in the Reformation era. Editor: Oh, accessibility, yes. But they also look as though they could judge you for misinterpreting scripture! Each face an encyclopedia, full of religious, historical, cultural weight. Curator: Precisely! Each work contributes to constructing historical understanding as well as cultural attitudes. Through the combination of sharp engraving skills and the rich layers of theological symbols, "Evangelist Lucas / Evangelist Johannes" invite reflection. Editor: Definitely powerful in what it expresses, that piece is a great reminder of art's ability to pull me out of time, to look backward and forward all at once.