San Giovanni 1539

Domenico Beccafumi painted San Giovanni during the Italian Renaissance, a period of immense artistic and intellectual change. Beccafumi, orphaned as a child, found his identity rooted in his community. He was deeply involved in the Sienese efforts to resist Florentine domination. In this painting, John the Evangelist is depicted as an old, wise man, caught in the act of writing. The saint's gaze is intense, almost as if he can see into the future. But this is no idealized saint; the bare foot brings a carnal and earthly element to the work. During the 16th century, there was an increase in religious subjects in art. Beccafumi’s work, however, goes beyond the traditional representation of religious figures, and delves into the personal and emotional aspects of faith. The Evangelist is not just a symbol of the church, but an individual, in communion with the viewer. He is caught between the act of writing and reflecting, making us question the role of faith in identity, and the power of the written word.