Saint John 1514 - 1536

Agostino Veneziano etched this image of Saint John, who sits, divinely inspired, writing. Note the eagle at his feet, a symbol passed down through time. The eagle, an ancient emblem of power and vision, was first associated with Zeus and the Roman emperors and later adopted by Christianity to symbolize John the Evangelist, believed to have a uniquely clear and soaring spiritual insight. Consider how the symbolism of the eagle evolved; from representing imperial authority, to spiritual enlightenment. In the same way, the halo above John’s head, originally a pagan symbol of divinity in ancient Greece and Rome, was reinterpreted in Christian art as a sign of grace. These symbols possess a remarkable tenacity, resurfacing across cultures. These visual motifs resonate with us, tapping into a collective memory. They are a testament to the enduring power of images to transcend time.