H. Johannes met adelaar 1600 - 1630

Curator: This print, made sometime between 1600 and 1630, is titled "H. Johannes met adelaar," which translates to "St. John with Eagle." It's an engraving done in the Baroque style, attributed to an artist known only as Monogrammist VA. Editor: Oh, look at him there, perched so casually amidst all that rugged landscape! He seems so absorbed, lost in his writing, as if composing poetry rather than, you know, sacred texts. Curator: Exactly! Consider the cultural moment. This work aligns with the Baroque interest in portraying emotional states and the drama of spiritual experience. We see John the Evangelist in a very human light, contemplating divine inspiration. His placement within a rocky scene perhaps references his period of exile on the island of Patmos. Editor: That eagle, looming there, is rather spectacular too! It dominates the composition, making me wonder if it symbolizes power, freedom, and heightened sight, while our saint humbly takes notes, head tilted down in modest contemplation. It looks like a vigilant secretary, ready to help St. John spread his message. What an odd couple. Curator: The eagle is, indeed, the symbol of St. John, meant to represent the soaring, spiritual nature of his Gospel. And there is an interplay here between John's humble posture and the grandeur of the eagle. This evokes theological questions, in line with our era of enlightenment where we continue to ask about power, perspective, and translation. Editor: Thinking about the setting and textures of the stones against the gentle draping of fabric and bare feet… It really shows a skilled engraver at play, using these contrasting elements to lead our eye through a narrative. It feels like stumbling upon this reflective, sacred scene mid-daydream. Curator: The engraving exemplifies the fusion of humanist learning and religious zeal that marked the period. It prompts contemplation not just of scripture but also of how sacred stories intersect with identity, culture, and personal narratives. Editor: You are right. There is much more to see here when you look through a historical lens. Curator: Precisely. I hope listeners now have some ways of looking at this print from that perspective. Editor: Yes. Now I am inspired to make some art too!