God the Father, with Symbols of the Evangelists c. 1513

Editor: Here we have "God the Father, with Symbols of the Evangelists," created by an anonymous artist. The piece feels very formal and hierarchical. What do you see in it? Curator: I see a fascinating interplay of religious and political power. Notice how God the Father is depicted enthroned, much like a medieval monarch. The symbols of the Evangelists – the angel, eagle, lion, and ox – surround him, reinforcing the divine authority of the scriptures. Editor: It's interesting how those symbols, usually associated with the Gospels, are here as emblems of power. Curator: Precisely. And consider the context in which this image might have circulated. Was it intended for devotional purposes, or to project the Church's authority in a specific social or political setting? Perhaps both. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. It gives me a lot to think about.