Illustration I: Representation of St. Matthew at his desk (Gospel According to Matthew) c. 16th century

Curator: This anonymous engraving, held in the Harvard Art Museums, depicts St. Matthew at his desk, inspired to write his Gospel. Editor: It feels chaotic. Look at the swords discarded on the floor, the figure rushing in, the cross-hatched lines making everything so busy. Curator: Indeed, the image draws on established visual traditions. Matthew, shown with his attribute, an angel, represents divine inspiration. The swords could symbolize Matthew’s previous life as a tax collector. Editor: Tax collector! That shifts how I see it. The angel isn't just inspiring him, but maybe also confronting him about the violence of his past actions. It becomes a story about redemption. Curator: That's a powerful interpretation of this intriguing scene. Editor: And it really highlights how this image still speaks to our own struggles for social justice.