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Saint Matthew the Evangelist

Author, school, workshop
Georg Zeller
Style
Early Baroque
Date
1662–1665
Material and technique
Oak wood; carving techniques
Size
Height 110 cm
Location
The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Wroclaw, Poland
Description
The saint stands in counterpoint (on his left leg) facing the viewer. He raises his hands slightly upwards, in his left hand holding a book by its top cover fastened with clasps. By his left leg reaching up to his knee height stands an angel in a long gown with a ruffle and wide collar, his left hand holding his chest.

Matthew the evangelist has the face of a mature man with a prominent nose, large, wide-set eyes under tuk tuks of eyebrows rising to the temples, sunken cheeks, a lush beard and slightly wavy hair pulled back.

He is dressed in a barefoot robe with a collar and long sleeves with the sleeves rolled up, girded with a sash tied in front in a large bow. A toga is draped over his left shoulder, heavily creased underneath and wrapping his right leg from behind him.

The statue of the saint was originally placed on the spot now occupied by St James the Younger.