Saint John the Evangelist 1510 - 1563

Andrea Schiavone created this drawing of Saint John the Evangelist using pen and brown ink on laid paper. The composition immediately draws our attention to the delicate balance between form and space. Schiavone masterfully uses line to define the contours of the saint's figure, while the negative space around him is activated by a series of horizontal lines that create a subtle, almost ethereal backdrop. The artist's handling of drapery is particularly striking. Notice how the folds of the saint's robe cascade and swell, giving a sense of movement and volume. This treatment of fabric, combined with the dynamic pose of Saint John, introduces an element of drama and emotional intensity. The horizontals in the background, challenge our perception of depth, flattening the pictorial space and inviting us to consider the relationship between the figure and its surroundings. In doing so, Schiavone not only represents Saint John, but also explores the very nature of representation itself.