Saint John the Evangelist, Frans Hals
Observed by his symbol, the eagle, and poised to write God's words, Saint John looks up for divine inspiration, which he receives as brilliant light. Saint John, the Galilean fisherman who became one of Christ's apostles, is traditionally considered the author of the Gospel according to John and of the Bible's Book of Revelation. Hals used only light and handling of paint to create the lifelike, fleeting quality that made his portraits so prized. He chose a dramatic moment, then captured it with bold, spontaneous brushwork. A contemporary reported that Hals called the final touches he made to his canvases "putting in his handwriting"--adding the trademark highlights that give his pictures much of their sparkle. 
                                
Discover more Old Masters in the following collections:
 Netherlands
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                         Netherlands
 Netherlands Germany
 Germany Germany
 Germany Netherlands
 Netherlands Germany
 Germany Germany
 Germany Germany
 Germany Germany
 Germany Germany
 Germany Germany
 Germany The Mirror, Robert Reid
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The Artist’s Garden in Giverny, Claude Monet Almond blossom painting by Vincent van Gogh
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Agapanthus, Claude Monet The great wave of Kanagawa, Hokusai
The great wave of Kanagawa, Hokusai Vincent van Gogh. Flower beds in Holland
Vincent van Gogh. Flower beds in Holland The mill at Wijk bij Duurstede, Jacob Isaacksz. van Ruisdael
The mill at Wijk bij Duurstede, Jacob Isaacksz. van Ruisdael Spring Flowers, Claude Monet
Spring Flowers, Claude Monet Queen Elizabeth of Bourbon
Queen Elizabeth of Bourbon Portrait of a woman, anonymous - 1633
Portrait of a woman, anonymous - 1633 Cypresses
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Vincent van Gogh. Sunflowers Italian landscape with pine trees, Hendrik Voogd
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Flower arrangement, Jan Davidsz. de Heem The School of Athens, Raphael
The School of Athens, Raphael A Amsterdam street scene - Adrianus Eversen
A Amsterdam street scene - Adrianus Eversen Vincent van Gogh. Olive orchard
Vincent van Gogh. Olive orchard Jacob Maris - Fishing boat
Jacob Maris - Fishing boat View of Dordrecht at sunset, Aelbert Cuyp
View of Dordrecht at sunset, Aelbert Cuyp