Who painted The Apocalypse: St. John Sees Seven Golden Candlesticks?

The Apocalypse: St. John Sees Seven Golden Candlesticks was painted by Jean Duvet in 1551.

Where can I see The Apocalypse: St. John Sees Seven Golden Candlesticks?

The Apocalypse: St. John Sees Seven Golden Candlesticks is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Apocalypse: St. John Sees Seven Golden Candlesticks?

The Apocalypse: St. John Sees Seven Golden Candlesticks is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Apocalypse: St. John Sees Seven Golden Candlesticks

Jean Duvet , 1551

The Apocalypse: St. John Sees Seven Golden Candlesticks is a print by the Renaissance artist Jean Duvet. It dates from 1551 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This engraving is part of a 23-piece series illustrating the Apocalypse from the Revelation of Saint John.

About this work

Jean Duvet shows John the Evangelist standing before seven golden candlesticks.

Jean Duvet shows John the Evangelist standing before seven golden candlesticks. The saint wears a robe and points to the bright lights. Behind him, dark clouds swirl with angels.

This is a print, not a painting. Duvet carved the image into metal, then pressed ink onto paper. Only seven full sets survive today. The work took him ten years to finish.

See how the light cuts through the shadows. If you like this, check out another print by Jean Duvet (French, 1485–1561).

Overview

This engraving is part of a 23-piece series illustrating the Apocalypse from the Revelation of Saint John. Noted for its rarity, the museum's complete set is one of only seven known worldwide. Created by Jean Duvet, a pioneering French printmaker, the work showcases his unique artistic voice.

Subject & Meaning

Depicting a scene from Revelation, the print shows St. John standing before seven golden candlesticks, gesturing towards the luminous objects as dark, swirling clouds and angels occupy the background. The image conveys a moment of divine revelation.

Technique & Style

Executed through metal engraving, the print features Duvet's characteristic idiosyncratic style: densely packed compositions, disregard for spatial rationality, and emphasis on ornamental surface patterns. Figures, however, reveal a solidity influenced by Italian High Renaissance prints.

History & Provenance

Crafted over a decade, this series represents Duvet's magnum opus. Despite working in provincial Langres, Duvet's awareness of Italian art, notably through Marcantonio Raimondi's prints, is evident. Only seven complete sets of the Apocalypse series are known to exist.

Context

As one of the first major French printmakers, Duvet's work bridged provincial and broader European artistic trends of the 1500s. His use of engraving reflects the medium's growing importance in disseminating and creating art during this period.

Legacy

This Apocalypse series, including 'St. John Sees Seven Golden Candlesticks', solidifies Duvet's position as one of the most original artists of the 16th century, appreciated for his distinctive style that blends Renaissance influences with a highly personal aesthetic.