The Apostle Matthew
Lucas Cranach the Elder gives us a rugged look at the Apostle Matthew here, far from the soft, glowing saints of Italian art. Clad in heavy, dramatic robes that cascade down to his bare feet, Matthew looks like a serious scholar, clutching a book and a carpenter's square—tools that hint at measurement and divine order. The intricate, scratchy lines create a wonderful texture, especially in that wild, curly beard and the simple halo hovering above his hat. Framed by strange, curling tree trunks that look almost like they're dancing, this piece captures the distinct, slightly quirky style of the Northern Renaissance.
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