Saint John on Patmos
The Met
Artist: Hans Baldung (called Hans Baldung Grien)(German, Schwäbisch Gmünd (?) 1484/85–1545 Strasbourg)
Date: ca. 1511
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil, gold, and white metal on spruce
Dimensions: Overall 35 1/4 x 30 1/4 in. (89.5 x 76.8 cm); painted surface 34 3/8 x 29 3/4 in. (87.3 x 75.6 cm)
Credit Line: Purchase, Rogers and Fletcher Funds; The Vincent Astor Foundation, The Dillon Fund, The Charles Engelhard Foundation, Lawrence A. Fleischman, Mrs. Henry J. Heinz II, The Willard T. C. Johnson Foundation Inc., Reliance Group Holdings Inc., Baron H. H. Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman Gifts; Joseph Pulitzer Bequest; special funds; and other gifts and bequests, by exchange, 1983
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
A woman with a baby in clouds appears to a woman writing, with a raven nearby
Detailed Description
The painting depicts two distinct scenes, one in the sky and one on land, separated by a vertical column of white clouds. On the left, in the upper half, a woman in a long blue robe holds a baby. Both figures have golden halos. The woman, with long brown hair, stands on a golden crescent moon, surrounded by a radiant golden light and white clouds. The baby, mostly unclothed, is held in her left arm, looking towards the viewer. On the right, a woman with curly blonde hair and a golden halo sits on a rock, dressed in a flowing red gown. She holds an open book in her left hand and a quill in her right, appearing to write. Her gaze is directed upwards and slightly left, towards the figures in the clouds. Behind her, a dark tree with green foliage hangs over a body of water. In the distance, across the water, are green hills or mountains and a small town with buildings and boats. The sky above is light blue with white clouds. In the lower left foreground, a large black bird, possibly a raven, stands on a closed blue book adorned with golden clasps and corner protectors. The bird has a small golden halo above its head and golden talons. The ground beneath the woman and the bird is a dark, rocky terrain. The overall palette includes rich blues, reds, greens, and golds against a muted landscape.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
