John the Evangelist on Patmos, Lodewijk Toeput, c. 1560 - 1603
pen, h 217mm × w 308mm More details
St John the Evangelist is here shown writing the Book of Revelations under a tree. As usual in Toeput’s landscape drawings, the biblical figures are portrayed as minor extras. The scene is almost eclipsed by the exuberant play of lines in the background, which Toeput used to create a dramatic atmosphere. The Southern Netherlandish artist moved to Italy for good in his 20s and was given the name Pozzoserrato (a literal translation of his Dutch surname, meaning ‘closed well’).
