Paul, from The Four Evangelists and Three Apostles Sitting in Rooms 1515 - 1586

Lucas Cranach the Younger created this engraving of Paul, one of the Four Evangelists and Three Apostles, in the 16th century. At first glance, Paul is captured in a moment of deep concentration. The quill in his hand and the text before him mark him as an author, a disseminator of divine word. But observe the antlers hanging above him. The antlers can be seen as a symbol of strength and leadership, but also of sacrifice, echoing pagan traditions where the stag was a sacred animal. Here, in Paul’s study, the antlers undergo a fascinating transformation, merging pagan symbolism with Christian narrative. Consider also how the motif of the writer in his study has evolved. From ancient images of philosophers to Renaissance depictions of evangelists, this image speaks to the enduring human quest for knowledge and spiritual insight. The act of writing becomes a potent symbol of revelation and the transmission of wisdom. This convergence reminds us that symbols are never static. They evolve, acquire new meanings, and engage our collective memory and subconscious, and they continue to exert their influence on our understanding of the world.