Artwork

'St. Johannes'

'St. Johannes', by Unknown, unspecified, 1819
'St. Johannes', by Unknown, unspecified, 1819

'St. Johannes' is an unspecified painting by the Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1819 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created in 1819, the work titled “St.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1819, the work titled “St. Johannes” is attributed to the artist recorded as 16308_person. It is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography and is presented as a two‑dimensional image. The piece portrays a solitary figure with a luminous halo, dressed in a simple robe and holding an open book, set against a softly blended background that darkens toward the lower edge.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a man whose calm expression and upward gaze suggest contemplation or divine inspiration. The halo identifies him as a saint, while the open volume he cradles implies scholarly or theological study. The composition invites viewers to consider the interplay between earthly learning and spiritual aspiration, a theme common in devotional imagery.

Technique & Style

The image exhibits hallmarks of Romanticism, notably the emphasis on emotion, the dramatic use of light surrounding the halo, and the atmospheric background that merges colors into a moody horizon. Brushwork appears loose yet controlled, allowing the figure to emerge from an indistinct setting, thereby focusing attention on the saint’s serene demeanor.

History & Provenance

Since its completion in the early nineteenth century, the painting has remained within institutional holdings, eventually entering the Museum of Ethnography’s collection. Documentation links the work directly to its creator, 16308_person, though further details about its acquisition or prior ownership are not recorded in the available sources.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known