Four Evangelists in a Scriptorium 1539

This is a drawing, created by Master I.K. around 1520, depicting the Four Evangelists in a Scriptorium. The artist employs sepia ink to construct a complex, architectural space. Note the arches and columns which create a rhythmic division of space, drawing the eye deeper into the composition. The use of linear perspective is particularly intriguing. The orthogonals converge, but not to a single vanishing point, disrupting the illusion of depth. This subtle destabilization prompts us to consider the artwork's structure, rather than accept a straightforward representation. Each Evangelist occupies their own space, engaged in reading or writing, yet the overall scene feels like a stage set. The drawing prompts us to consider the nature of representation and the symbolic order that underlies our perception of space and form. It is a reminder that art is not just about seeing, but about interpreting and understanding the codes that shape our visual world.