De heilige Matteüs 1565 - 1630

Antonio Tempesta etched "The Holy Matthew," presenting us with potent symbols ripe with historical and psychological resonance. Here, Matthew is depicted with his Gospel and a guiding angel offering him divine inspiration through ink and quill. The angel motif, a messenger of the divine, isn't confined to Christian art. Consider Hermes in ancient Greece, or the winged figures adorning Mesopotamian reliefs—all serving as intermediaries between the human and the divine. Even the act of writing, guided by an external force, echoes the ancient belief in muses inspiring creativity. Over time, the angel has evolved, shifting from imposing celestial beings to more approachable, human-like figures, reflecting a changing relationship between humanity and the divine. This constant evolution speaks to our collective unconscious, where archetypes like the angel reside, adapting to our evolving cultural narratives. The halo and the book are also symbols of holiness and wisdom, that engage with the viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Thus, we see in this print, a powerful convergence of cultural memory, where ancient archetypes resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, weaving a rich tapestry of human experience across time.