Saint Luke

This painting shows the short stay of the artist in Piacenza, after his long activity in Rome (1602-1610). As all the painters who work in the dukedoms of Emilia, Lanfranco was influenced by Correggio’s lessons, visible in the angel clinging to the clouds on the top right. The icon of the Virgin Mary alludes to the legend according to which Luke depicted the Virgin when she was still alive. The calf/ox, destined to sacrifices, is the symbol of Saint Luke’s priesthood and of his activity as evangelist.