De evangelist Lucas 1541

"The Evangelist Luke" was engraved by Sebald Beham, in the first half of the 16th century, during the rise of the Reformation. Beham was one of the German Little Masters, known for their small-format, intricate prints, a medium which democratized access to art and ideas. This engraving depicts Saint Luke, identifiable by his attribute, the ox, symbolizing sacrifice and service. During the Reformation, artists like Beham navigated complex religious and political landscapes. The representation of religious figures became a charged issue, caught between traditional Catholic imagery and emerging Protestant views that often discouraged such depictions. How does one express faith, identity and tradition when those concepts are being publicly contested? This image may appear to simply carry on traditional depictions of the Evangelist. But notice the book in Saint Luke's hand; knowledge became a tool, and literacy a privilege. Beham subtly navigates the currents of religious reform, inviting viewers to contemplate their own beliefs and identities in a rapidly changing world.