St. John the Evangelist
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
St. John the Evangelist is a 1850 by Pietro Bettelini, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This print shows a robed woman holding an open book in one hand and pointing upward with the other. Two small, winged children stand near her feet, looking up. Behind her is a dark interior with a window showing a landscape of trees and hills. The woman’s pose and the book suggest she might represent knowledge or faith. The children add a sense of wonder or guidance. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this strong contrast between light and dark shapes the scene.
