Plate 3: Saint Luke with his head turned in profile to the right, a book in each hand, a bull at his feet, from 'The four evangelists' 1541

Editor: Here we have Sebald Beham's 1541 engraving, "Saint Luke with his head turned in profile to the right, a book in each hand, a bull at his feet, from 'The four evangelists.'" The level of detail achieved through engraving is fascinating, especially in the folds of Saint Luke's robes. What do you see in this piece that maybe I’m missing? Curator: What I see is a fascinating negotiation between tradition and individual flair. Beham’s St. Luke isn't just a saint; he’s a thoughtful scholar, perhaps even a little world-weary. Look at the angel wings—so small, almost like an afterthought. And the bull—doesn't he seem more like a sleepy house pet than a powerful symbol? I feel a kind of intimate observation, don’t you think? It’s less about divine grandeur, more about a quiet moment of contemplation. Almost humorous, wouldn’t you say? Editor: I didn’t notice the almost "domesticated" feel of the bull! You're right. It definitely shifts my understanding away from a strictly religious symbol toward something more human, more approachable. Curator: Precisely! Beham, you see, was quite the character. He liked pushing boundaries. Tradition? Yes, but with a wink. The Italian Renaissance loved that combination of pious and personal. Are we convinced Saint Luke feels "holy" though? Editor: Maybe he is feeling "holy," just privately. Now that I look closer, even St. Luke's gaze has a sort of quiet intensity, rather than overt piety. I had initially read it as simply a profile, but now there's definitely more there. Curator: Exactly. It’s the intimacy that gets me every time. It is a world of saints, seen through the lens of a very perceptive and slightly mischievous mind. A mirror reflecting a reality more palpable and real. What do you make of the positioning of the head? Editor: Considering Beham positions Luke in profile, as a portrait... the entire picture becomes a study, one that reflects real life... something I didn’t consider! Thank you for pointing that out! Curator: My pleasure. Every piece of art is a puzzle, a journey for the mind and the heart, no?