Apostel Matteüs c. 1590 - 1637

Egbert van Panderen made this engraving of the Apostle Matthew in the 17th century. It’s a print, so we are looking at an image made possible by the repetitive action of a press, and the skilled labor of a professional printmaker. The engraving process involved carefully incising lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then transferring the image onto paper. Notice the incredible detail achieved through this process; the textures of the Apostle’s skin and clothing are meticulously rendered. The lines create a sense of depth and shadow, giving the image a sculptural quality. The square he holds symbolizes his association with architecture, traditionally referencing the construction of the spiritual temple. It's fascinating to consider the labor and expertise required to create this print. The level of skill involved elevates this from mere reproduction to a work of art in its own right. The print exists as a testimony to the cultural and economic systems that elevated craft to fine art, but often obscured the contributions of the skilled laborers behind its creation.