John 

Albrecht Durer made this drawing of John in pen and ink. Durer was a towering figure in the Northern Renaissance, and this piece gives us insight into the artistic and intellectual climate of 16th-century Germany. Note the subject, John, who holds what appears to be a model. This immediately places the drawing within a religious and humanist context. Durer’s detailed rendering of John's garments and his thoughtful gaze reflect the Renaissance emphasis on humanism, even in biblical depictions. The inclusion of the model held by John references civic pride. The Reformation was a major force in Durer's time, influencing not only religious beliefs but also artistic patronage and expression. Further research into Durer's biography, religious history, and the artistic conventions of the time would enrich our understanding of the historical context of this drawing. Art history reminds us that meaning is never fixed but is contingent on social and institutional context.