Virtual Manuscript Library of Switzerland
Evangelist portrait of St. Matthew in an 8th century manuscript
In most of the standard medieval iconographic compositions, St. Matthew the Evangelist is presented accompanied by a winged man or an angel in human likeness. The figure of the winged man(or an angel) is shown presumably because his Gospel emphasizes the incarnation of Christ, and the winged man is the figure representing the personification of Christ`s human nature. He is shown most of the times seated with a book or pen, as writer of the Gospel dedicated to the genealogy of Christ. In some occasions, only the figure of the winged man or an angel, as one of his attributes, is presented.
St. Matthew is known as the author of the first Gospel in the New Testament which he is supposed to have written in Judea. This Gospel is dedicated to the manhood of Christ and starts with his genealogy from Abraham. Before he became one of the Christ`s followers, St. Matthew worked as a tax collector for the Romans. He has died in Ethiopia, where he is believed to have preached.
Link to the "St Matthew the Evangelist" set.
Link to "The four Evangelists" collection
Manuscript title: Irish Evangelary from St. Gall (Quatuor evangelia)
Origin: Ireland
Period: 8th century
Image source: St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 51, p. 2 – Irish Evangelary from St. Gall (Quatuor evangelia) (www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/csg/0051/2)
Evangelist portrait of St. Matthew in an 8th century manuscript
In most of the standard medieval iconographic compositions, St. Matthew the Evangelist is presented accompanied by a winged man or an angel in human likeness. The figure of the winged man(or an angel) is shown presumably because his Gospel emphasizes the incarnation of Christ, and the winged man is the figure representing the personification of Christ`s human nature. He is shown most of the times seated with a book or pen, as writer of the Gospel dedicated to the genealogy of Christ. In some occasions, only the figure of the winged man or an angel, as one of his attributes, is presented.
St. Matthew is known as the author of the first Gospel in the New Testament which he is supposed to have written in Judea. This Gospel is dedicated to the manhood of Christ and starts with his genealogy from Abraham. Before he became one of the Christ`s followers, St. Matthew worked as a tax collector for the Romans. He has died in Ethiopia, where he is believed to have preached.
Link to the "St Matthew the Evangelist" set.
Link to "The four Evangelists" collection
Manuscript title: Irish Evangelary from St. Gall (Quatuor evangelia)
Origin: Ireland
Period: 8th century
Image source: St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 51, p. 2 – Irish Evangelary from St. Gall (Quatuor evangelia) (www.e-codices.unifr.ch/en/csg/0051/2)