John the Evangelist seated and writing, ca. 1631

About the Work

It is a moment of inspiration. Johannes turns to the side and gazes heavenward in the expectation of divine illumination; his hand already notes the words that reach his ears. The combination of loosely drawn lines and painterly rendering of light and shade account for the work’s appeal and expressive power. It moreover has the red of the chalk to thank for its vivid quality.