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Domenichino, 'Saint John the Evangelist', late 1620s

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.

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