Saint Mathew 1350

This Byzantine icon, painted around 1350, depicts Saint Matthew, one of the four evangelists in the New Testament. The icon uses a traditional style, with a flat, frontal pose, and a simplified, idealized depiction of the figure. Matthew is shown holding a book, which likely represents the Gospel he wrote. The gold background is typical of Byzantine iconography, symbolizing the divine presence. The inscription at the top, "MAΘΘΑΙΟΣ", identifies the saint. This icon would have been used in religious settings, serving as a visual representation of faith for viewers.