Portrait of the Evangelist Luke

Description Luke is clothed in robes and sandals and recalls the tradition of classical author portraits. While he sits on a cushioned bench, he lacks an accompanying desk or lectern, forcing him to balance his book on his left knee. He is somewhat awkwardly posed, for he must reach nearly behind him to dip his quill into his elaborate ink pot. Luke's symbol, the bull, reaches down over his shoulder.

Provenance Freising, Germany, ca. 865-875; Germany, 19th century; Leon Gruel and Robert Engelmann, Paris, late 19th-early 20th century [mode of acquisition unknown, no.78]; Henry Walters, Baltimore, February 19, 1917 [mode of acquisition unknown]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Credit Acquired by Henry Walters, 1917