Jesus og de 12 apostle: Andreas 1566 - 1654

Matthäus Gundelach made this drawing of the apostle Andreas sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The image is a study for a larger work, but it stands alone as an example of how the religious and the masculine were intertwined in art of this period. The drawing depicts Andreas carrying a large wooden beam, presumably a symbol of his martyrdom. Gundelach’s presentation of Andreas departs from traditional representations, emphasizing the saint’s physical strength and stoicism. Andreas is muscular, and the weight of the wood seems not to faze him. His gaze is directed away from us, and we can only guess at the nature of his thoughts. In a time of religious conflict and reformation, images of apostles served not only as devotional objects but also as symbols of faith, resilience, and the power of the church. Consider how Gundelach uses the male body to convey a sense of unwavering faith and resolve. While rooted in religious narrative, the drawing also presents a study of idealized masculinity.