Apostel Johannes 1648 - 1678

This etching of the Apostle John was created by Samuel van Hoogstraten sometime in the 17th century. Hoogstraten lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by significant cultural and artistic achievements, but also rigid social hierarchies. Here, the artist presents a contemplative John, haloed, and holding a chalice. He is depicted not as a distant, divine figure, but with a certain human vulnerability. This intimacy invites viewers to consider the personal dimensions of faith and discipleship. The inscription below the image suggests the Apostle's banishment to Patmos. The text speaks to themes of exile and spiritual communion. Hoogstraten’s choice to portray John in such a manner subtly challenges the rigid social norms of his time, inviting a more empathetic and personal engagement with religious figures. This challenges traditional representations of religious figures, as it develops an alternative narrative that emphasizes intimacy.