John the Evangelist 1450

This painting, "John the Evangelist", was created in 1450 by German artist Stefan Lochner. The artwork depicts the apostle John, one of the four evangelists, in a standing pose, holding a chalice. The use of gold leaf background and the halo behind the figure's head, common in early Renaissance religious art, creates a sense of divinity and spiritual aura. John's youthful appearance, his soft features and delicate hands, reflect a style common to Lochner's art, characterized by a focus on emotional expression and naturalism. This painting is an example of the Cologne School, which developed in the mid 15th century in Cologne, Germany.