Apostelen Johannes 1609 - 1670

This drawing of the Apostle John was made by Karel van Mander III, during the 17th century. Observe John holding a chalice. In Christian iconography, John is often depicted with a chalice, sometimes with a snake emerging from it. This symbol refers to a legend where John was challenged to drink a cup of poisoned wine. He blessed the cup, and the poison materialized into a serpent, thus revealing the deadly contents while leaving John unharmed. Interestingly, the motif of a figure with a chalice appears in other contexts, such as classical depictions of Bacchus, the god of wine. The chalice, therefore, becomes a vessel not only of potential death but also of divine protection and transformation. Such symbols speak to our collective psyche, echoing themes of danger, faith, and redemption, constantly resurfacing, evolving and gaining new meanings throughout time.