Matthew the Evangelist

The carved frontal figure of the Evangelist Matthew is presented in a calm, focused pose. His figure is covered with draperies, the folds of which are modelled in a rather generalised manner, yet there is a sense of volume and movement. The evangelist’s chiton and himation are bordered along the contour with a narrow golden line, which imparts solemnity to the image. The saint rests one foot on a stone, while his hands support a large book placed upon his knee. The elongated face is framed by wavy strands of short hair and a beard. The high forehead, eyes delineated with a clear contour line, and slightly covered by eyelids, all create an impression of concentration and spiritual composure. In the lower part of the carving, the symbolic image of an angel appears – the evangelist’s emblem, embodying the human nature of Jesus Christ. The flat, dark background, devoid of additional details, underscores the image's significance and produces an effect of clarity and expressiveness. In its execution, simplicity and decorativeness are combined, with the main emphasis placed on the silhouette and the rhythm of the garment’s lines. The carving is not academic in precise anatomical rendering, yet it is imbued with spiritual content. Artistically, the relief depiction of the Evangelist Matthew combines compositional stylisation with a subtle sense of expression conveyed through the soft, flowing lines of the draperies. The simplicity of the carving suggests its folk origin, which is consistent with its role as part of the furnishing of a sacred interior. The piece constitutes an interesting example of woodcarving, in which the sincerity of folk craftsmanship is united with the spiritual significance of the image.

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery