# Saint John the Evangelist

**John Skippe** (British, 1742–1812)  
1771  
chiaroscuro woodcut in tan and brown  
sheet: 19.7 × 15.4 cm (7 3/4 × 6 1/16 in.) other (text beneath image): 3.2 × 15.7 cm (1 1/4 × 6 3/16 in.) mount: 38.2 × 27.1 cm (15 1/16 × 10 11/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1973.58.3. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.54044.html).

## About this work

John Skippe made this in 1771, aged 29. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

This is a drawing of a winged figure seated on a bird. The image depicts a figure with flowing robes, wings outstretched, holding an open book in one hand. The figure appears to be looking off to the side, with a serene expression. The lower part of the image includes a bird upon which the figure is seated. The bird's head is turned slightly upwards, following the direction in which the figure is gazing. The image is rendered in a warm, monochromatic palette. In the lower section of the image, there is some text, likely Latin.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Woodcut.** A relief print. The block is cut away around the lines, so the lines stand up to take the ink, and the sheet is pressed onto them.

### [John Skippe](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/john-skippe)

British, 1742–1812

## Facts

- Type: Print
- The artist was 29
- Real size: about 8 × 6 in (20 × 15 cm). The original is small: even the 8 × 10 in print shows it larger than life.
- Century: 18th century
- Subjects: bird, Book, Man
- Colour: olive
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1572.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1572/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/saint-john-the-evangelist-nga-54044).