Heilige Johannes de Evangelist c. 1520 - 1550

Curator: Oh, this piece gives me such a quiet feeling. A little haunting, but definitely serene. Editor: Well, it depicts Saint John the Evangelist, believed to be made sometime between 1520 and 1550. It's attributed to Antonio da Trento, and created using an intaglio engraving technique. Curator: An intaglio engraving... I see it in those deeply etched lines. And the way the light halos him! There’s such a drama happening with this divine glow over such subtle movements. A dance of reverence perhaps, especially in consideration to that small animal. Editor: Yes, he’s often depicted with an eagle, which symbolizes the lofty heights of his gospel. It places him firmly within Renaissance humanism and its visual language around spirituality and knowledge. Though, looking at how diminutive he is in relation to it, it is reminiscent of more docile features. He may appear like any normal man finding comfort with a puppy. Curator: Absolutely. And it's interesting to think about how accessibly relatable this might've been to people back then. To show such divinity with the gentle vulnerability is a pretty bold move! To invite faith instead of dictating it. But I also feel its fragility, being on paper... easily damaged, erased even. What histories may never reach us, or become altered to fit a certain vision. Editor: Precisely, because while the work reflects humanism’s focus on individual potential, it's impossible to separate it from the political power and socio-cultural constraints. These works often served as propaganda, especially considering their prevalence within the dominant societal values and religion during that period. Curator: A point well taken. The power in the delicate dance between propaganda, vulnerability and faith; isn't it something to witness? And such is the magic of witnessing such a seemingly quaint work, isn’t it? I walk away filled to the brim with a need for deeper conversations. Editor: Exactly! To be conscious about where such power resides, who holds them, and why must we always question its source. Thanks to engravings such as this one, we continue those critical dialogues, and that alone grants it incredible historical significance.