A Medieval Depiction of John the Evangelist Writing the Book of Revelation in Exile During the Roman Empire
A 15th century miniature showing John on the island of Patmos, where he was banished, pen in hand hand with manuscript, symbolic eagle to his side
John of Patmos is most often associated with John the Evangelist and is commonly thought to be the author of the Book of Revelation and also the Book of John. He was exiled to Patmos under the Roman rule of Domitian in the late 1st century. Revelation 1:9 states: “I, John, both...
John of Patmos is most often associated with John the Evangelist and is commonly thought to be the author of the Book of Revelation and also the Book of John. He was exiled to Patmos under the Roman rule of Domitian in the late 1st century. Revelation 1:9 states: “I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation … was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ These are among the most famous lines in the New Testament: they begin the Gospel of St. John.
One leaf, manuscript on parchment, from a Book of Hours [France, 15th century]. 172 x 122mm. Illuminated with a large miniature, depicting St. John on Patmos in colors and gold within an arch-topped compartment above 5 lines of text and a four-line initial, surrounded by a full floral border in colors and gold. Verso with 4 lines of text from the hymn Obsecro Te.
In the center of the top image is the evangelist sitting with a scroll and an eagle on his left. He is evidently writing the Book of Revelation during his exile. The two are on a verdant island, in front of a rock face, with a castle upon a hill in the horizon. The eagle represents one of the four creatures (symbolic of the Evangelists) that are described as surrounding God’s throne in the Bible in Revelation.
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