St Matthew the Evangelist

In the Gothic vaults of the Tornabuoni Chapel the four Evangelists are floating on clouds.

St Matthew the Evangelist is holding the slate pencil in the fingertips of his right hand, and with his left hand he is holding out an open book for us to see. As he does so, he is looking attentively at his symbol, the little angel. The latter, wearing a fluttering garment, comes very close to the Evangelist in order to convey to him the word of God.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 8 minutes): Johann Sebastian Bach: St. Matthew Passion BWV 244 (excerpts)