Saint John
1546
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Sebald Beham
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
See the richer artist page1546
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Saint John is a 1546 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a bearded man in loose robes, holding a cup with a snake wrapped around it. His other hand rests on a small box or chest. The ground is scattered with rocks, and there’s a plant in a pot to his left. Sunlight streams in from the top right corner, lighting his face. The snake around the cup is a clue—it’s often linked to medicine or healing. This work is part of a series of religious figures. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Beham carved these detailed lines.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
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