GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico
(b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze)

St Luke the Evangelist

1486-90
Fresco
Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence

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

St Luke the Evangelist, depicted as a young man with brown hair and a beard, is looking at a little book on his knee as he writes down the life of Christ. On his left a very realistic ox, the Evangelist's symbol, is resting. The reflections in its large black eye make it look quite good-natured.