Spanish school; 17th century.

Spanish School; XVII century.
"Saint John the Evangelist".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
It has a frame of the twentieth century with faults.
Measurements: 76 x 95 cm; 94 x 113 cm (frame).
Looking directly to the spectator, St. John the Evangelist assumes an inspired attitude, because he is about to relate divine events. St. John holds in his right hand a pen, which alludes to his condition of author of the Gospel, while with his left hand he holds a bundle where written in Latin are the words of verse 1:1 25 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God". This phrase is speaking to us of the concrete moment in which John begins to write his gospel. This dignifiedly directs his gaze towards the viewer bringing dignity and eloquence to his action, accompanied by his main attributes such as the chalice and the eagle that is blurred behind him.
St. John the Evangelist is the apostle of Jesus to whom is attributed the authorship of the fourth Gospel, the four Epistles that bear his name and the book of Revelation. The Gospel of St. John recounts, in detail, various aspects of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, and its writing is usually dated between the years 90 and 100. After the resurrection of Jesus, St. John the Evangelist occupied an important position among the disciples of Jesus.