Italian Artist Of The 1840s, Evangelist Matthew And The Angel

ITALIAN ARTIST OF THE 1840s
EVANGELIST MATTHEW AND THE ANGEL

Paper, pencil
28 x 21 cm / 11 x 8.3 inches; with mat: 48 x 34 cm / 18.9 x 13.4 inches, unframed

PROVENANCE
France, private collection

The mid-19th century in art is marked by a distinct retrospective tendency, where artists revisited and reinterpreted the styles and themes of the 18th century within a renewed artistic context. Our drawing, dated approximately to the 1840s, stands as a vivid example of this approach, embodying the enduring tradition of the Italian school, whose meticulous attention to detail, composition, and iconography remains unwavering.
The iconography of the apostle and evangelist Matthew draws heavily from medieval tradition, particularly from the Legenda Aurea (Golden Legend) by Jacobus de Voragine—one of the most influential collections of saints’ lives and legends widely disseminated throughout Europe since the 13th century.
In the Golden Legend, Matthew is depicted as a tax collector (publican) before his calling by Christ. According to the legend, he was a sinner living in sin, but upon encountering Jesus, he embraced Christianity and became one of His disciples and evangelists. In iconography, Matthew is traditionally portrayed with the attribute of an angel—symbolizing divine inspiration and his role as the author of the Gospel, emphasizing the humanity of Christ.
According to Voragine, Matthew was the first to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles and authored one of the four Gospels, which grants his image a special significance within Christian tradition.