Study of St. John (recto); Study of a Warrior (verso) 1620 - 1678

Eugenio Cajés rendered this study of St. John in sanguine during the late 16th or early 17th century. Note how St. John holds a chalice, a symbol deeply intertwined with narratives of sacrifice and redemption. The chalice, often associated with the Holy Grail and the Last Supper, transcends its immediate religious context. It resonates with ancient myths of sacred vessels containing life's essence. Consider its echoes in pagan rituals, where libations poured from ornate cups honored deities, symbolizing a conduit between the earthly and divine realms. Through the ages, the chalice has resurfaced, its form evolving yet its symbolic weight enduring, bearing witness to humanity's unending quest for meaning. This image conveys a profound sense of spiritual yearning, tapping into our collective memory of sacrifice and renewal, a potent reminder of the cyclical nature of human experience.