Domenichino, 'Saint John the Evangelist', late 1620s
About the work
Overview
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.
Key facts
Details
- 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
About this record
If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.
Images
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