Johannes de Evangelist 1625 - 1670

Editor: So, this is "Johannes de Evangelist," an engraving by Mattheus Borrekens, created sometime between 1625 and 1670. The dramatic lighting and raised hands give it a very theatrical, almost pleading quality. What do you make of it? Curator: It's intriguing how Borrekens positions John the Evangelist, literally bathed in divine light. Consider the era: the Counter-Reformation. How might this image function as a form of religious propaganda, reinforcing ideals about saints during a period of intense doctrinal conflict? Think about the deliberate staging, the upward gaze... Editor: A tool for ideological persuasion, almost? The theatricality makes sense in that light. But is it effective? Curator: Precisely. But effective for whom? Who was the target audience? And whose gaze are we invited to adopt? Perhaps it's designed to elicit a particular emotional response from the viewer, a sense of awe and submission to religious authority. What power dynamics are at play? Editor: It's interesting to think about the intended audience shaping the artistic choices. I initially just saw religious devotion, but now I am thinking more critically about how Borrekens positions the viewer. Curator: Exactly! Art never exists in a vacuum. This piece offers a lens to examine not just religious history, but the way power and faith intertwine, shaping cultural narratives even today. I am leaving with more questions about faith than when we started. Editor: Me too! Looking at it with these questions in mind makes this so much more than just a historical engraving.