Saint John the Evangelist

Roethlisberger's monograph (op. cit.) records only two surviving Evangelist portraits by Breenbergh, the other being the Saint Mark in the Pomorskie Museum in Gdansk. Breenbergh probably painted other such portraits, perhaps in a series of Evangelists analogous to those painted by so many contemporary artists. Breenbergh's Saint John is depicted in a pose of inspiration, eyes cast heavenward and his hand to his breast. He is flanked by his symbol, the eagle, which is emblematic of John's lofty, transcendent vision. The large codex in which he writes his Gospel extends the composition into the viewer's space, while reaffirming the predominant upward diagonal of his gaze.