Saint John the Evangelist (?)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite drawing, tentatively titled *Saint John the Evangelist is a collaborative work attributed to Venetian artists Pietro Antonio Novelli (17291804) and Francesco Fontebasso (1707–1769), created before 1755.ed in pen and dark brown ink on sheet measuring 14 15/16 x 10 5/8 inches (38 x 27 cm), it the saint—likely the beloved apostle and Gospel author—in a moment of contemplation or inspiration, a common motif in religious art evoking his divine visions and eagle symbol. Novelli and Fontebasso, both prominent figures in 18th-century Venice's vibrant artistic scene, embodied the Rococo style's graceful lines and dramatic flair, influenced by masters like Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Pen and ink was a favored medium for preparatory sketches, allowing fluid, expressive strokes that convey movement and emotion with economical precision. This technique highlights their workshop practices, where such drawings served as studies for larger paintings or frescoes adorning Venetian churches and palaces. Housed in the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1975, the piece reflects the era's devotion to Baroque-Rococo religious iconography amid Venice's cultural zenith. Its subtle mastery invites visitors to appreciate the intimacy of draftsmanship, bridging the divine with human artistry.

About the Artist

Pietro Antonio Novelli|Francesco Fontebasso · 1729–1804

**Pietro Antonio Novelli (1729–1804)** Pietro Antonio Novelli, a prolific Venetian painter, draughtsman, and engraver, trained under the esteemed Jacopo Amigoni and in the studio of Giambattista Pittoni, absorbing influences from Gaspare Diziani and Francesco Guardi. In 1768, he gained membership in the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia with his reception piece, *Allegory of the Arts*. Early in ...