Saint Matthew
1512
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Lucas Cranach the Elder
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
See the richer artist page1512
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Saint Matthew is a 1512 ink by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print is packed with people and action. In the center, a robed figure stands out, surrounded by a chaotic crowd. Some people hold weapons, others point or gesture wildly. The sky above is dramatic, with swirling clouds and a distant building. The lines are scratchy and busy, giving everything a rough, urgent feel. The artist used a woodcut technique, carving the image into wood and printing it. This method was common in the 1500s and made it easy to share images widely. Look up woodcut to see how this printing process works.
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
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