St. John the Evangelist

Artist Paulo Farinati Italian, Verona, 1524 - 1606

Date1567

MediumEngraving on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 11 1/4 x 7 11/16 in. (28.6 x 19.5 cm)
Image Size: 11 x 7 3/8 in. (27.9 x 18.7 cm)

ClassificationsPrints

Credit LineGift in memory of Leon H. and Marie Buttlar Sparling by their family

Object number2008.20.5

On View

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Works on Paper

Signed"paulo farinato f" engraved in the lower left of the plate. "Paulus farinatus Venonensis fecit./Iu. Sadeler excudit." engraved in the plate at the lower right in a smaller and more formal font than the one at left. "156(7?)"engraved in the extreme lower right with the last digit possibly a 7 but only a somewhat slanted vertical line, visible. Jan Sadeler is also the engraver/publisher of 2008.20.8.

InscribedOn the reverse of the image: Written in cursive pencil at lower right "Date: 1567"; at lower left top inscription is in brown ink, cursive, "S (or I?) A. Koehler"[identified by Armin Kunz as Sylvester Rosa Koehler, see Provenance]; below this written in cursive pencil "whipple./ 1885;" adjacent to this but later in date is the number "92097.1" On the inside of the mat printed in pencil "Paulo Farinato. Italian (1524-1606). 'St. John the Evangelist.' Etching 1587. Bartsch (Farinati) 3, Old Bartsch/ #165, state ii/II (with 'Iu Sadeler Execudit'). Inscribed with artist signature lower left. 11 x 7 3/8 in. A/ fine impression in fine condition with full margins. $1,200.00". Above this to the right in pencil "P2097-1"

MarkingsWatermark in the lower center of the sheet, an anchor in a circle (noted by appraiser Armin Kunz as a typical Italian watermark).

DescriptionMale figure seated on clouds in a very active pose, looking to his left and with his right arm reaching out towards an inkwell with his right hand holding a writing instrument. The figure holdes a large volume on his lap (referring to writing of gospels etc.) and is enrobed in a dynamic swirl of baroque drapery and crowned with a rayed halo. A large 'muscular' eagle is perched in the lower left examining a seashell. In Christian iconography John is often associated with an eagle. A dove with outspread wings, partly encircled with rays of light, representative of the Holy Ghost appears in the upper right corner, looking down on the central figure.Exhibition History"Old Master Prints from the Sparling Family Collection", Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, February 28 - May 24, 2009.

"From the Vault: Staff Selections", THe Hyde Collection, Whitney-Renz Gallery, January 11, 2019-March 31, 2019

“Prosperity and Exclusion,” The Hyde Collection, Hoopes and Whitney-Renz Galleries, May 31 – Sept. 21, 2025ProvenanceBefore 1900, Roxbury, MA, Sylvester Rosa Koehler
Boston, MA, Childs Gallery
Houston, TX, Tobin Sparling
2008, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust