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The Evangelist Luke

Hermann tom Ring

1574

Oil on oak wood

Diocese of Münster, Catholic Parish of Liebfrauen-Überwasser (permanent loan at the LWL-Museum für Kunst und Kultur, Münster, Inv.-Nr. 931 LG)

Was the Evangelist Luke truly also the author of the Acts of the Apostles? This question is answered affirmatively in the painting by the Münster artist Hermann tom Ring. Luke is depicted here with the bull, his symbolic animal as an Evangelist. The bookmark in the book under his left arm refers to his second work: the Acts of the Apostles [Lat. Acta Apostolorum].

However, the painting does not depict Luke as an author. A quill is tucked behind his ear; in his hand, he holds a silverpoint stylus—an instrument used for drawing. Here, Tom Ring alludes to Luke’s role as the portraitist of the Virgin Mary.

Among the Gospels, the Gospel of Luke provides the most information regarding the life of Mary. Its first two chapters recount the Annunciation of the birth as well as the events surrounding the Nativity—the Christmas story itself.

Saint Luke the Evangelist, Hermann tom Ring, oil on oak panel, 1574, Diocese of Münster, Liebfrauen-Überwasser Catholic Parish (long-term loan to the LWL Museum of Art and Culture, Münster, inv. no. 931 LG), photo: Sabine Ahlbrand-Dornseif
Saint Luke the Evangelist, Hermann tom Ring, oil on oak panel, 1574, Diocese of Münster, Liebfrauen-Überwasser Catholic Parish (long-term loan to the LWL Museum of Art and Culture, Münster, inv. no. 931 LG), photo: Sabine Ahlbrand-Dornseif