Saint John 

Bernard Reder created this etching of Saint John in 1942, and the portrayal offers us much to consider. The figure of Saint John is immediately recognizable, his wide-eyed expression and the chain around his neck evoking a sense of revelation and divine connection. The chain, a symbol often associated with captivity or restriction, here takes on a paradoxical quality. It binds, yet it also connects Saint John to a higher purpose, a visual echo of the ecstatic visions. We see this echoed in the works of the Italian Renaissance where chains and ropes appear as attributes, signifying spiritual bondage and the surrendering of earthly ties. Such representation transcends mere religious iconography; it taps into our collective memory of spiritual quests and transformations. The open mouth signifies an invitation to spread the message. These are visceral, emotive symbols that touch upon the complex dance between the individual and the divine, echoing through time in various forms, forever imprinted in the cultural psyche.