Saint John the Evangelist 1610 - 1614

El Greco painted Saint John the Evangelist during his time in Spain, likely in the late 16th or early 17th century. It is an intriguing depiction. We see the saint holding a chalice with a serpent emerging from it, a traditional symbol associated with John, referencing a legend about him surviving a poisoned chalice. But it is the cultural and religious context of Counter-Reformation Spain that shapes the painting's meaning. El Greco's elongated figures and intense emotionalism resonated with the spiritual fervor of the period. The Catholic Church was actively seeking to reaffirm its authority through art. Art historians often consult theological texts and records of religious art patronage to understand how artists like El Greco navigated these complex demands, expressing personal spirituality while adhering to institutional expectations.