St John in profile facing left, from "Christ and the Apostles" 1543 - 1553

Andrea Schiavone created this print of St. John, from "Christ and the Apostles," in Italy, sometime in the mid-16th century. The printmaking medium allowed for the wide distribution of images at this time, helping to spread not only religious ideas but also artistic styles. Here, St. John is seen in profile, a youthful figure holding a symbolic object, possibly a chalice or a flaming torch. Schiavone's looser style, with its dynamic lines and atmospheric effects, departs from the more rigid forms of earlier Renaissance art. Instead, you see the influence of the Venetian School, known for its emphasis on color and painterly effects. The Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts, using images like this one to inspire faith and convey religious teachings. Yet, this was also a time of religious reform and questioning, and the visual arts played a key role in these debates. By looking at period documents, religious pamphlets, and the records of artistic patronage, we can better understand the social and institutional forces that shaped this print and its original audience.