Evangelist Matteus met engel Possibly 1741 - 1799

This etching by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo depicts the Evangelist Matthew with an angel. Tiepolo, who lived from 1696 to 1770, created this print during a time when the church played a significant role in society and art. In this piece, we see Matthew, traditionally considered the author of the first Gospel, in a moment of divine inspiration. The angel, a messenger of God, guides Matthew as he writes. Tiepolo’s representation reinforces the idea of divine authority, while it also reflects the period's emphasis on religious subjects. The angel is portrayed as youthful and fair, an image that could be read alongside traditional gender and power dynamics within religious art. This representation emphasizes the spiritual purity and guiding role often assigned to angelic figures. Through his art, Tiepolo provides a glimpse into the relationship between faith, authority, and artistic expression in 18th-century Europe. His work invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of faith, as well as the societal structures that shaped religious art.