1522
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Martyrdom of St. Matthew is a 1522 by Lucas Cranach the Elder, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a chaotic scene with a crowd of people in the foreground. In the center, a man with curly hair and a beard is being attacked by a group of armed figures. Some people are running, while others look on in fear or anger. The background is filled with buildings and a sky full of clouds, but the focus is on the struggle below. The central figure appears to be the main subject, surrounded by weapons like swords and clubs. The artist used sharp lines and heavy shading to create a sense of movement and drama. Next, look up Lucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) to see more of his work.
Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and engraving.
See the richer artist page
