Artwork
Saint John the Evangelist
Saint John the Evangelist is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Bartolomeo Passarotti. It dates from 1562 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1562 etching, Saint John the Evangelist, is a print by Bartolomeo Passarotti, an Italian artist associated with the mannerist style.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a bearded man, likely Saint John, standing in a contemplative pose with one hand on his chest and the other pointing upwards, set against a swirling background that may represent clouds or light.
Technique & Style
Created using etching, a technique involving acid to carve designs into metal, the print features sharp yet textured lines, characteristic of Passarotti's work and the mannerist style, which emphasizes elegance over naturalism.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolomeo Passarotti or Passerotti (1529–1592) was an Italian painter of the mannerist period, who worked mainly in his native Bologna. His family name is also spelled Passerotti or Passarotto.
