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518 - Saint John the Evangelist, Italian School, 17th century Oil …
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Estimate €7,000 - €12,000
Sale commission
Description
Saint John the Evangelist, Italian School, 17th century Oil on relined canvas. Dimensions 79 x 109 cm; frame 100 x 129 cm. A magnificent depiction of Saint John the Evangelist shown in an inspired pose, holding a quill pen and an open volume inscribed with the opening words of his Gospel, evoking the famous theological prologue ‘In principio erat Verbum’ (In the beginning was the Word). The figure appears as a young man with delicate features and an upward gaze, absorbed in a spiritual vision that directs his attention to a point outside the scene. Beside him is the eagle, a traditional iconographic attribute of the evangelist, symbolising the intellectual and mystical elevation of his message. The composition is defined by a powerful contrast between the illuminated figure and the dark background, a characteristic device of the Italian Baroque that intensifies the saint’s physical and spiritual presence. The light subtly highlights the face, hands and folds of the garment, creating an atmosphere of profound introspection and contemplation. The painting is notable for the quality of the drawing, the harmonious anatomical construction, and the refined execution of the details, particularly in the calligraphy of the manuscript and the expressiveness of the face. The work belongs to the 17th-century Italian devotional tradition, building on the naturalist and tenebrist innovations that sought to bring sacred episodes closer to the viewer through intense emotional impact. The result is an image of remarkable spiritual power and pictorial quality that synthesises theological knowledge, artistic sensibility and religious fervour, constituting a prime example of Italian Baroque painting. Dimensions: 79 x 109 cm.
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About the sale GRAND SUMMER AUCTION OF HAUTE ÉPOQUE AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 4:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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