Saint Matthew

Sermoneta, Girolamo Siciolante da, circle of 1521 - 1575

Summary

This small oil painting on copper, perhaps intended for a private chapel, depicts the half-length, bearded and haloed figure of St Matthew. He faces slightly to his right and is shown with an angel and a book, which are the two symbols generally associated with him. Here, a quill in the angel's hand indicates that he is helping to write the saint's Gospel. St Matthew apparently holds a set square in his left hand, an attribute not usually associated with this saint. Its meaning is unclear, but it may relate to his previous occupation as a tax collector. This is probably the work of an artist who worked closely with Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta, a late Mannerist painter active in Rome. Despite its tiny size, this figure has a sculptural quality in keeping with Siciolante's style. This work is one of a pair with St Mark, which is also in the collection of Manchester Art Galleries, inv. no. 1979.61.