Skip to main content

Domenichino, Saint John the Evangelist

Key facts
Full title Saint John the Evangelist
Artist Domenichino
Artist dates 1581 - 1641
Date made late 1620s
Medium and support Oil on canvas
Dimensions 259 × 199.4 cm
Acquisition credit On loan from a private collection
Inventory number L601
Location Room 32
Image copyright On loan from a private collection, © Private collection 2010
Collection Main Collection
Saint John the Evangelist
Domenichino

Saint John, the author of the fourth gospel, is depicted at a moment of revelation. His pen is arrested and he has turned from the books to raise his eyes toward the true source of his inspiration.

The eagle, the bird thought to fly closest to heaven, was the saint's attribute. The heroic, frontal pose was based on the painter's study of ancient sculpture.

Why can't I download this image?

The National Gallery has endeavoured to make as many images of the collection as possible available for non-commercial use. However, an image of this painting is not available to download. This may be due to third party copyright restrictions.

If you require a license for commercial use of this image, please use the National Gallery Company's Online Picture Library or contact them using the following: