St. John the Evangelist

Maestro della Pala Sforzesca

Download hi-res image TITLE St. John the Evangelist
AUTHOR Maestro della Pala Sforzesca
DATE c. 1490 - 1
OBJECT TYPE AND MATERIAL Tempera and oil on panel
DIMENSIONS cm 20,5 x 13
ROOM XI
Work on display

The saint is identified by his book, pen and chalice, the latter alluding to the legend that he survived a poisoned beverage fed to him by the priest of Diana in Ephesus. The painting was originally part of a predella depicting the apostles. The palette and chiaroscuro are soft, the subtle light effects echoing the work of Foppa or Butinone. These characteristics, different from the style of Leonardo found in the Sforza Altarpiece, suggest that this picture was painted at a different moment in the artist’s career.