Apostel Mattheüs c. 1470 - 1491

Curator: Here we have "Apostel Mattheüs," or "Apostle Matthew," an engraving rendered by Martin Schongauer around 1470-1491. This piece is a fabulous example of Northern Renaissance printmaking. Editor: First thought? Stark. And heavy! Like, there's this austere dude draped in so much cloth he could be a walking textile factory, except, BAM, he’s wielding that gigantic axe. It’s kind of wonderfully…threatening? Curator: Indeed! And we must remember Matthew's significance. He’s often depicted with the symbol of an axe, referring to his martyrdom. Look closely at the detail rendered through the engraving; it evokes the complexities and nuances in figuration at that time. The piece certainly brings up fascinating issues surrounding religious representation, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely! It is very cool how the delicacy of those lines gives the fabric so much weight, how his open hand looks almost like he’s expecting something… or someone. Do you think he's thinking, "Bring it on"? Seriously, though, what kind of statement was Schongauer trying to make about power, or faith maybe? Curator: That is just the question to keep asking. Consider, Schongauer came from a family of goldsmiths. His technique speaks to that. Beyond the subject of power, this particular piece enters discussions about the role of printmaking during the Northern Renaissance. Reproducibility…accessibility…it offered the populace, finally, another look into religious narratives that may have seemed previously unreachable. Editor: Wow, the implications really run deep when you put it that way! I keep coming back to his expression though. It’s…gentle. I expected someone brandishing that kind of weapon to look a bit fiercer. Maybe it's a study in contrasts then? A gentle apostle ready to make tough decisions. Curator: Precisely. His serenity speaks volumes about inner strength—of his own conviction. "Apostle Matthew" allows us to engage in thought about religious devotion during this historical period. Editor: Seeing him now through that lens definitely adds a new layer. Makes me wonder about my own convictions, too. Curator: And that personal connection makes encountering art such an invaluable experience. Editor: Right? Definitely giving me some food for thought. Time to find another tasty visual morsel, I guess.