Saint John at Patmos c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have François de Poilly the Elder's "Saint John at Patmos," housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The stormy sky really sets an intense mood, and Saint John seems to be receiving a divine vision. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Considering the era, engravings like this one played a vital role in disseminating religious and political ideologies. How does the portrayal of Saint John, seemingly caught between earthly and divine realms, reflect power dynamics and the role of the church in shaping social discourse at the time? Editor: That's a great point. So the drama isn't just aesthetic? Curator: Exactly. And note the eagle, John's symbol. Consider how its representation might reinforce or subvert established patriarchal narratives. What do you think about its presence here? Editor: I hadn't considered the eagle in that light before. I see this piece differently now! Curator: And that's the power of contextualizing art within its historical and social framework.