Saint John the Evangelist on Patmos
Artist: Titia
1547
Painting
According to legend, John the Evangelist was exiled by the emperor Domitian to the Greek island of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Titian shows the saint as if on the peak of a mountain, reacting in awe and astonishment to the voice of God (“I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. . . . And I turned to see the voice that spake with me”; Revelation 1:10–12). He then saw a vision of God, who instructed him to record what was to be revealed to him.
Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin
Artist: Rogier van der Weyden
1435-40
Painting
The Gospel of Saint Luke covered Mary's life in some detail and therefore the saint came to be considered the first to portray her. This work may be the earliest known example to depict Saint Luke creating a portrait in the presence of his sacred models. He is shown kneeling before the Virgin and Child in a richly appointed room, drawing with a metalpoint on a small sheet; beyond them is an enclosed garden, which alludes to Mary's virginity, and two small figures looking out over a parapet at the river lined with urban buildings. The scene underscores the humble, earthly nature of the figures; Mary has no halo or crown, but sits at the foot of the throne, embodying her humility, and breastfeeds the child to highlight their physical connection. The cityscape in the background consists of typical Flemish buildings, suggesting that the scene takes place in surroundings like the viewer's own.
This painting is oil and tempera on oak panel and it is housed in The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts.
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