Saint Matthew 1685 - 1715

This is Johann Georg Libigo's Saint Matthew, an early 18th-century limewood sculpture with gilding. The Baroque period, in which Libigo was working, valued drama and grandeur in its art as a tool of religious expression. Here, Saint Matthew is shown bearing a scroll. He is partially draped in a golden robe, and an angel appears at his side. The sculpture serves as an intersection where divinity meets humanity. Matthew, traditionally a figure of solemn authority, is rendered with a slightly averted gaze and a partially exposed torso which adds a layer of human vulnerability. The angel, commonly depicted as ethereal, is portrayed as an earthly child, further blurring the line between the divine and the human. Libigo's sculpture both upholds and subtly challenges religious representation. While maintaining the revered status of Saint Matthew, the artist infuses a relatable, human element. This piece invites us to consider the personal dimensions of faith and spirituality, reflecting on how these figures resonate with our own humanity.