On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P02444
- Author
- El Greco (Spanish)
- Title
- Saint John the Evangelist
- Chronology
- Ca. 1600
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 99 cm x 77 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- DONACION
- Procedence
- Donation by Cesar Cabañas Caballero, 1921
With his left hand, Jesus' favorite
disciple points in a highly
expressive manner at the goblet
with a snake that he holds in his
right hand. This alludes to the
poison he was forced to drink while
in prison, a test from which he
emerged unharmed.
This would seem to be a single work
rather than part of an Apostolate,
although it is very similar —in its
iconography, composition and
format— to the representations of
Saint John and the Apostolates at
the Museum-House of El Greco and at
Toledo Cathedral.
Despite the lack of a signature and
of any information as to its
provenance, the critics are
unanimous in accepting this as an
original work by El Greco's own
hand.
Location on the map
