Saint John the Evangelist
Historical Context
From the same apostle series as his Saint Philip (1633), Zurbarán's Saint John the Evangelist depicts the beloved disciple traditionally associated with the Book of Revelation and the Gospel of John. John is commonly identified by his youth among the apostles and by an eagle or a chalice as his attribute. Zurbarán's austere, contemplative treatment strips the subject of narrative incident, presenting the saint in absorbed meditation.
Technical Analysis
John is shown in a standing pose, young and thoughtful, his attribute held or present in the composition. As throughout this series, Zurbarán employs strong side-lighting against a dark neutral ground, and his smooth drapery modeling creates the effect of carved stone rendered in paint.
