Saint Luke 

Johann Ladenspelder created this depiction of Saint Luke in the 16th century using engraving. The image is dominated by the figure of Saint Luke himself, seated and actively engaged in his artistic craft. Ladenspelder uses the stark contrast and the fineness of line to articulate the details of the scene. Look at the texture in the folds of Saint Luke's robe, achieved through dense, parallel lines that suggest volume and depth. The ox beneath him is rendered with a similar attention to detail, the engraver using short, curved lines to mimic the animal's musculature. The composition itself is carefully structured to lead the eye from the lower left, up through the figure of the saint, to the miniature he is creating. The act of creation is central here. Ladenspelder isn’t merely depicting a saint, but emphasizing the process, the labor involved in artistic creation and the role of the artist as a divinely inspired maker. Consider how the inscription underscores a theological dimension, juxtaposing human imperfection against divine inspiration. The lines are not just descriptive, but form a dense network of signs inviting us to interpret the work through a symbolic and intellectual lens.