Saint John the Evangelist c. 16th century

Curator: I find this quaint woodcut, "Saint John the Evangelist," quite striking despite its small size and anonymous authorship. Editor: Small, yes, but powerful! I'm immediately drawn to the stark contrast and that eagle—it dominates the scene, perching right behind John. A symbol, clearly. Curator: Indeed. The eagle is John's traditional attribute, symbolizing the soaring, inspirational quality of his Gospel. The rough, expressive lines give the piece a raw emotional intensity. Editor: It feels less refined, more primal, perhaps? You know, I keep thinking about how visual symbols work over time, how the eagle evolved to carry emotional, cultural, and psychological weight. Curator: A lovely observation. It’s a very thoughtful, impactful piece, even in its relative simplicity. Editor: Exactly, and perhaps, simplicity is where its profound impact lies. A gem!