Who painted Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos?

Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos was painted by Master of Aiguatèbia in 1450.

Where can I see Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos?

Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos is held by Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

What movement is Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos?

Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos is associated with Italo Byzantine.

Can I buy a print of Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos?

Museum-quality prints of Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos

Master of Aiguatèbia , 1450

Saint John the Evangelist's Dream at Patmos is an unspecified painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Master of Aiguatèbia. It dates from 1450 and is held in the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1450, this panel painting is attributed to the anonymous figure known as the Master of Aiguatèbia. It portrays the apostle John on the island of Patmos, a subject drawn from the biblical account of his visionary experience. The work belongs to the collection of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, where it is displayed among other late‑medieval religious pieces.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre of the composition lies a solitary figure in a red robe and green tunic, his eyes closed and hands joined in prayer, representing John the Evangelist in a moment of divine contemplation. A luminous halo crowns his head, signalling sanctity, while surrounding angels, some holding instruments, others bearing symbolic objects, suggest the heavenly audience to his revelation.

Technique & Style

Figures are rendered with a modest use of chiaroscuro, giving them a gentle three‑dimensionality without abandoning the flat ornamental quality of the era.

The painter employs a gold ground richly patterned with intricate motifs, a common decorative device in 15th‑century Catalan art that emphasizes the otherworldly setting. The palette balances the warm reds and greens of the saint’s garments against the cool metallic background, creating a harmonious visual equilibrium. Figures are rendered with a modest use of chiaroscuro, giving them a gentle three‑dimensionality without abandoning the flat ornamental quality of the era.

History & Provenance

Although the artist’s identity remains unknown, the work is linked to the workshop of the Master of Aiguatèbia, active in the mid‑1400s in the region of Catalonia. The painting entered the national museum’s holdings through a 20th‑century acquisition, where it has been catalogued as an example of devotional imagery intended for private or liturgical use during the late medieval period.