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St. Matthew, by Hendrik Goltzius, 1578

St. Matthew

Hendrik Goltzius

1578

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

St. Matthew is a 1578 by Hendrik Goltzius, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?
Hendrik Goltzius
When & what style?
1578 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?
Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting depicts a scene of chaos and violence, with a central figure standing on a platform, holding a sword in his right hand. The figure is surrounded by a group of people, some of whom are attacking him, while others appear to be defending him. The background of the painting is a cityscape, with buildings and a dome visible in the distance. The central figure is dressed in a long robe, and his face is contorted in a mixture of pain and determination. The people surrounding him are dressed in various attire, ranging from simple tunics to more elaborate robes. The overall mood of the painting is one of turmoil and conflict. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of depth and drama, drawing the viewer's eye to the central figure and the action unfolding around him. For more information on this technique, look up chiaroscuro.

About the artist

Portrait of Hendrik Goltzius
Artist

Hendrik Goltzius

Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.

See the richer artist page

More by Hendrik Goltzius

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