Matthew from Christ, the Apostles and St. Paul 1472 - 1553

This print of Matthew from Christ, the Apostles and St. Paul was made by Lucas Cranach the Elder using woodcut, a relief printing process. The artist carves away areas of a woodblock, leaving the design standing in relief. Ink is then applied to the surface and transferred to paper, creating the image. The linear quality of the woodcut is evident, as Cranach skillfully uses lines to create form, texture, and shading, defining the figure of Matthew and the drapery of his robes. Look at Matthew's bare feet - this level of detail is exquisite. The precision required in the carving process speaks to the artist’s mastery of his medium, as the use of woodcut allowed for the relatively quick production of multiple impressions, which was essential to the development of print culture in the 16th century. Woodcuts like this reflect the intersection of artistry, craft, and commerce in early modern Europe. They bring images and ideas to a broader audience, and blur the lines between fine art and more functional modes of production.