Saint Luke the Evangelist

Carved from a solid block of wood, the frontal, static sculpture of Saint Luke the Evangelist is endowed with profound internal psychologism. In the saint's left hand, a Gospel book was evidently once held, towards which the gesture of his right arm, bent at the elbow, is directed. The book points to the educational and enlightened mission of the saint. Visible in the lower section of the sculpture is the head of an ox – the traditional iconographic symbol of Saint Luke, which personifies the sacrificial death of Christ.
The focal point of the artwork is the face, to the execution of which the master devoted meticulous attention. The deep, ascetic gaze from beneath sunken eyes, the sculpturally accentuated cheekbones, and the high, open forehead are altogether captivating. The texture of the voluminous hair and wavy beard is rendered through rhythmic, parallel incisions of the chisel. This technique is highly characteristic of masters working within the traditions of archaic Folk and guild carving.
The saint is clad in a long chiton and a mantle fastened at the chest. The folds of the garments are heavy, vertical, and deeply undercut, visually elongated the silhouette upwards and lending a sense of monumentality to the piece despite its small size. The colour scheme of the monument has sustained significant changes over time, displaying substantial losses. Authenticated fragments of original polychromy have survived, dominated by the terracotta-red hue of the cloak. The sculpture of Saint Luke the Evangelist harmoniously synthesises strict canonical rules with the vivid expressiveness of the author's chisel.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery