Vier Evangelisten 1765 - 1770

"Vier Evangelisten" (Four Evangelists) is a 1765-1770 etching by Swedish artist Johann Esaias Nilson (1721-1788), currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. This intricate artwork depicts the four Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, seated in a heavenly realm, surrounded by clouds and an angel. The figures appear to be reading scriptures, emphasizing their role in spreading the Christian message. The composition is dynamic and filled with detail, showcasing Nilson's skill in rendering both the human form and the symbolic imagery of the subject.