St Luke the Evangelist, holding a banderole (possibly a modern impression) 1475 - 1485

This anonymous print presents St. Luke, identified by his halo, holding a banderole of script. The banderole itself, a long scroll, is a crucial attribute, connecting Luke, traditionally regarded as the author of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, to the written word and the dissemination of knowledge. The act of holding a scroll is ancient, seen in images of philosophers and lawmakers. Here, though, it signifies divine revelation and scholarly interpretation. Consider the recurrence of this motif across centuries—from Roman orators to Renaissance depictions of prophets. Each time, the scroll reinvents itself, echoing the past while adapting to the present. The careful, almost reverent, way St. Luke holds the scroll speaks to the weight of its contents. It is a gesture of humility, study, and dissemination that underscores the profound impact of the Evangelist's writings.