Landschap met evangelist Matteüs 1580

This etching of Saint Matthew in a landscape was made around 1600 by the Flemish artist, Wierix. It's an intimate portrayal of the Gospel writer, seated, with an angel prompting him as he writes. This image appears in the context of the Counter-Reformation when the Catholic Church reaffirmed the importance of saints. Matthew’s gospel emphasizes Christ's lineage, his connection to Jewish tradition, and the universality of his message to all nations. Consider the landscapes which surround him here; this element reflects a Northern European tradition of embedding religious figures in detailed, natural settings. The inscription in Latin at the bottom translates to: "Where is he who is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him." To understand this work better, we can research the history of the Catholic Church in the Low Countries, the tradition of evangelist portraits, and the visual culture surrounding the Counter-Reformation. The interpretation of art hinges on situating it within its historical moment.