Who painted Saint John the Evangelist?

Saint John the Evangelist was painted by Jacques Callot in 1631.

Where can I see Saint John the Evangelist?

Saint John the Evangelist is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint John the Evangelist?

Saint John the Evangelist is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Saint John the Evangelist

Jacques Callot , 1631

Saint John the Evangelist is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1631 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot, a French baroque printmaker from the Duchy of Lorraine, executed the etching Saint John the Evangelist in 1631. Rendered on laid paper, the work is part of Callot’s prolific output of more than 1,400 prints that range from everyday scenes to religious subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The image presents Saint John the Evangelist in a long robe, his right hand clutching a cup and his left holding a plant, traditional symbols linked to his apostolic role. Behind him, a crowd gathers around a fire with a distant castle, suggesting a narrative setting drawn from biblical or hagiographic sources.

Technique & Style

Callot employed fine etching lines to model the figure and create atmospheric depth, using cross‑hatching to render texture in the robe and the surrounding landscape. The composition balances a detailed foreground with an expansive background, a hallmark of his intricate, narrative‑driven style.

History & Provenance

Created in 1631, the print reflects Callot’s mature period when he was establishing a reputation across Europe for his technical skill and thematic range. It remains documented within the corpus of his religious prints, which were circulated among collectors and patrons of the early 17th‑century art market.