Evangelist 1665 - 1698

Johann Jakob von Sandrart created this print called 'Evangelist'. Sandrart lived in an era marked by religious and political tensions which followed the Reformation. In this black and white print, we see a male figure seated on clouds with a book in his lap. His gaze is intense, and he gestures upwards with his right hand, possibly signifying divine inspiration. As an evangelist, he would have been an important figure in disseminating religious teachings. The depiction of the evangelist as an authoritative, almost imposing figure, might reflect the power structures within the religious institutions of the time. Representations like these played a crucial role in shaping how people understood religious authority and their place within society. This image invites us to reflect on the interplay between faith, power, and representation.