The Pardon of Saint John Chysostom 1640

Mattia Preti painted ‘The Pardon of Saint John Chrysostom’ during a time of immense religious and social reform. Preti, an Italian Baroque artist, situates his narrative within the visual conventions of religious pardon and absolution. The painting weaves together themes of mercy, social hierarchy, and even the gaze of innocence. We see the saint bestowing forgiveness upon a kneeling, chained figure, who by contrast is presented as vulnerable and stripped of dignity. Beside Saint John stands a woman, child, and Black servant. The child’s gaze and outstretched hand toward the chained man is especially striking. Preti avoids the traditional representations of absolution by placing the act of forgiveness at the forefront, rather than the saint's authority. What is presented here is a tension between the Church's traditional stance on sin and redemption, and the humanity of forgiveness. The emotional weight of the painting lies in the silent dialogue between the figures, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of justice and compassion.