Artwork
Sfântul Evanghelist Matei
Sfântul Evanghelist Matei is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania.
About this work
Overview
The work titled “Sfântul Evanghelist Matei” presents a solitary, bearded figure clad in a dark, draped robe. He holds an open book whose script appears archaic and indecipherable to modern eyes. The composition rests against a uniform gold background, framed by a narrow red border that defines the image’s perimeter.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is identified as Saint Matthew, one of the four Gospel writers, suggested by the presence of the book, a traditional attribute of the evangelist. His solemn expression and contemplative gaze convey a sense of scholarly meditation, emphasizing the intellectual and spiritual authority associated with the apostolic author.
Technique & Style
The artist renders the robe’s folds with a series of fine, parallel strokes, creating a subtle texture reminiscent of cross‑hatching. The gold field is flat and unmodulated, typical of iconographic conventions that prioritize symbolic flatness over naturalistic depth. The red border functions both as a decorative element and as a visual delimiter.
History & Provenance
The piece is catalogued as an image rather than a painted canvas, indicating it may be a reproduction or a work on a different support such as a panel or parchment. No further details about its creation date, workshop, or ownership history are provided in the available documentation.
Artist & collection
