This beautiful early 17th-century Italian oil painting depicts Saint John the Evangelist in prayer. It�s a fragment of a larger work possibly portraying either the Lamentation of Christ or the Nativity. His expression is somewhat enigmatic.John the Evangelist was one of Christ�s twelve apostles and traditionally thought to be the author of the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation. He�s also referred to as John the Apostle. Over the centuries, he�s been depicted in numerous works and generally in one of three ways. At times, particularly in Byzantine art, we see him as an elderly man with a grey beard. While in mediaeval art originating in Western Europe, he�s often portrayed as youthful and whiskerless. However, here, in this piece from circa 1620, he�s somewhat androgynous with a genteel visage and flowing golden locks. Historians have debated whether John�s feminine appearance was a deliberate attempt to enhance his appeal with female worshippers. In this respect, it�s i...