Apostel Johannes 1545 - 1548

Lambertus Suavius rendered this engraving of the Apostle John. He is shown with his traditional symbol, the eagle, often associated with divine inspiration. The eagle has ancient roots, symbolizing power and vision across cultures. From the Roman Empire, where it represented imperial authority, to its association with Zeus in Greek mythology, the eagle embodies strength and spiritual insight. We see echoes of this in John's eagle, linking the Apostle to a lineage of seers and leaders. Yet, here, it is tamed, subservient to the evangelist's work, perhaps to denote the triumph of Christian revelation over the pagan world. The gesture of writing, too, is potent, found in countless depictions of evangelists. It's not merely documentation but a creative act, mirroring God's creation of the world through the Word. It speaks to humanity's enduring need to record, interpret, and transmit knowledge, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This cyclical progression of symbols reveals how images evolve, carrying echoes of the past while adapting to new cultural landscapes.