De evangelist Lukas wordt geïnspireerd door de apostel Paulus 1709

This drawing by Bernard Picart, made in 1709, depicts Saint Luke being inspired by Saint Paul. Luke sits, diligently writing, surrounded by the tools of scholarship: scrolls and bound books. Paul, standing beside him, gestures towards the heavens, his expression one of divine inspiration. The depiction of the evangelist with his Gospel is a motif with deep roots. It echoes images of the muses from classical antiquity, where divine figures inspire mortals. Here, the light from above is being channeled through Paul to illuminate Luke’s writing. We see a transformation, from the ancient pagan tradition of muses to the Christian ideal of divine guidance. Consider how the gesture of pointing skyward, found across cultures, becomes a beacon directing our gaze to the heavens. These gestures resonate because they tap into our collective memory, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The act of writing, illuminated by divine influence, is a powerful force. The symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.