Saint Matthew 18th-19th century

Curator: Looking at Lambert Antoine Claessens' "Saint Matthew," I'm immediately struck by the palpable sense of divine inspiration. Editor: It's more complex than simple inspiration, isn't it? Consider how the youthful angel whispers into the ear of this elderly, masculine figure. Is it empowerment or perhaps a symbolic commentary on authorship and the marginalization of female voices, even in religious texts? Curator: I see your point. The angel is a traditional symbol, representing divine will, but certainly, the power dynamics are worth questioning. Matthew, caught mid-scribe, seems almost burdened by the task. Editor: Precisely. And who gets to tell these stories? What socio-political forces are at play in shaping these narratives? The aged man versus the youthful angelic figure, the very act of inscription—it all invites us to deconstruct the foundations of authority and knowledge. Curator: I hadn't considered it in quite that light, but it certainly adds another layer to the work's interpretation. Editor: These old images still have a lot to teach us about the ongoing struggles to define ourselves.