Saint Matthew, standing before a book at right with a hand on his chest, another man behind him at left 1750 - 1784

Carlo Faucci created this print, "Saint Matthew," in the 18th century, employing engraving. The composition balances light and shadow to evoke a mood of contemplative intensity. The figure of Saint Matthew, positioned with a book, anchors the visual weight on the right, while a secondary figure provides a contrasting presence to the left. Faucci’s use of line is particularly striking. Observe how the density and direction of engraved lines define form and texture, creating a dynamic interplay across the surface. This technique not only models the figures but also contributes to the overall narrative tension. Considering this work through a structuralist lens, the act of writing and the presence of the book can be interpreted as signs within a larger system of religious iconography. The print destabilizes a clear interpretation; it invites viewers to consider the layered meanings embedded within the artwork's formal structure.