St. Matthias, from Apostles n.d.

Martin Schongauer created this engraving of St. Matthias in the 15th century. The composition immediately strikes us with its dominant figure, rendered through meticulously crafted lines that define both form and texture. The lines create an almost palpable presence. Observe how Schongauer uses line to articulate the folds of St. Matthias’s robe. The texture is contrasted against the smooth metal of the axe he holds. This attention to texture creates a visual semiotic—rough versus smooth, organic versus industrial. The engraving operates within a late medieval framework of religious art, yet it subtly destabilizes traditional iconography through its formal execution. Schongauer challenges fixed meanings by focusing on the materiality and texture. He moves away from mere symbolic representation toward an exploration of form and its capacity to evoke meaning. This engraving stands as a testament to the power of form in mediating cultural and philosophical discourse.